Introduction

This blog has been created by exploring different areas of literature to increase knowledge on the aspects of developing a Forest School. These areas have then been analysed and aim to inform and assist fellow Early Years practitioners on the concepts of developing a Forest School.

The history of Forest School’s, internationally and within the UK has been researched to help understand the ethos behind them. This knowledge of the history of the Forest School should help to create an insight into how the Forest School philosophy has reached where it is now.

Further evidence has been gathered in the form of existing literature to evaluate the impact of a natural outdoor environment on a child’s learning, play and holistic development. By analysing this research, it aims to determine whether or not the Forest School approach is beneficial to a child’s learning and development.

Forest School activities have been put into practice to assess the skills a practitioner needs to develop a Forest School provision. They also seek to help practitioners to consider a Forest School Provision from a child’s perspective.

 The benefits of risky play and the challenges in providing it has been explored to assist practitioners to implement it into future practice. This in turn addresses the expected role of a practitioner in supporting risky play to children.

All of the above has then been consolidated to explore the ideas of developing a Forest School.