Discover the Best Forest School in Ascot: Nurturing Nature and Learning

Our Puddleduck Preschool on Priory Road, Ascot is no ordinary childcare provider; it’s a preschool which prioritises exploring the natural environment, encouraging curiosity and fostering a love for the outdoors in all children.

Why Choose a Forest School in Ascot?

With a curriculum that is centred around outdoor learning, children can explore the natural world in a large, secure outdoor Forest School area in Ascot. This type of education facilitates child-led learning and growth across all areas of development.

Our Puddleduck Preschool is located right in the heart of 40 acres of beautiful woodlands in North Ascot, making this an ideal setting for outdoor learning and education.

“Nature’s one of our wonders of the world!” Says Samantha Davies, the Forest School Leader at Puddleduck Preschool on Priory Road, Ascot. “The outdoors comes alive during our Forest School sessions and provides children with the foundations for school and beyond.”

What is a Forest School? Exploring Outdoor Learning in Ascot

Following the Forest School methodology, nursery and preschool settings focus on a style of education that uses nature and natural materials to develop cognitive and physical growth, and mental well-being. Areas like Swinley Forest or Windsor Great Park in Ascot, provides children with wide and expansive outdoor spaces to explore peacefully. By investigating these areas, children can learn to fully understand the natural world, how to look after and protect wildlife, and develop a meaningful connection to the world around them.

The Forest School Ascot programme at Puddleduck Preschool uses outdoor play and exploration all year round to teach children about taking risks safely, developing a foundation of self belief, and acquiring the fundamental skills that not only sets them up for school, but for life!

The Top Benefits of Attending a Forest School in Ascot

Forest School learning and outdoor education offers numerous benefits for each and every child. Here are our top three:

1. Connection with nature in Ascot’s stunning outdoor spaces – In Ascot’s rich green spaces, children have plenty of opportunity to run around and play outside. At our Puddleduck Preschool on Priory Road, Ascot, we find that this not only helps children develop physically, but also strengthens a deep connection with nature and wildlife, helping them appreciate it throughout their lives.
2. Hands-on learning opportunities – We host activities like den building, nature walks around Ascot, and wildlife observation at our Puddleduck Preschool; to give children a hands-on learning experience like no other! Education centred around nature and using natural resources helps children think more critically about the tools and items they are using. They can start to understand how best to use them to accomplish their goals, developing their problem-solving skills.
3. Social and emotional development – Being outside in the fresh air can boost children’s mental well-being, making children happier and cultivating positive relationships with their friends, peers and teachers. Our Puddleduck Forest School in Ascot can help children learn emotional resilience and help build their self-esteem, encouraging them to get out of their comfort zones and explore new interests.

How to Find the Best Forest School in Ascot

Like finding any nursery, you want to make sure that the Forest School is right for you and your family. We’ve put together these three, simple tips to help you find your perfect forest school in Ascot:

1. Online research – Googling ‘Forest School’s in Sunninghill’, ‘Winkfield Forest Schools’ or ‘Forest Schools near Ascot’ can give you a good indication on what Forest Schools are within your area. Once you have found a couple of schools you like, check out their website and their DayNurseries profile to see their reviews and know if they are a reputable Forest School provider.
2. Book a visit – Seeing an Ascot Forest School in person is a great way to see what activities, facilities and routines the nursery or preschool establishes each and every day. Make sure you get a tour of the whole Forest School area including where meal times are held and what the inside of the nursery and preschool looks like too!
3. Meet the Forest School leader – When visiting a Forest School in Ascot, it’s important to meet the Nursery Manager, staff and Forest School teacher too. This is the perfect opportunity to ask questions about the outdoor education options, what outdoor activities they do and what safety measures they put in place during their Forest School sessions.

A Day in the Life of a Forest School Student in Ascot

We spoke to Samantha Davies, the Forest School teacher at our Puddleduck Preschool who gave us a break down of what a typical day looks like at their child-led, Forest School experiences in Ascot.

Each day, the children walk to their Forest School area and take a seat at their main camp to go over the ‘Forest School Rules’ to ensure that everyone knows how to keep safe before beginning their day. Then it’s time for child-led exploration within the different sections of their Ascot Forest School: There is a bird watching section with binoculars and bird book, a bug hunting section with a magnifying glass and bug book, a mud kitchen for messy play, and so much more!

Next is a supervised activity, which could be anything from wood whittling with a peeler, building a bird house, to making a den. “This helps children develop their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and teaches children to work together to get tasks done,” says Sam.

Afterwards, children collect sticks and wood for the firepit, which Sam demonstrates how to light with flint and steel. The fire is used for the children to cook a variety of afternoon snacks, such as roasting marshmallows, cooking crumpets, making chocolate banners, creating hot chocolate from scratch and more.

Why Ascot is Perfect for Forest Schools

With its expansive access to nature, such as Swinley Forest, Windsor Great Park, and The Valley Gardens, Ascot, Berkshire is a great place to look for a Forest School provider! There are many opportunities to explore natural environments that conduct outdoor education in safe and secure premises.

Ascot is also home to many cultural settings such as Ascot Racecourse, Coral Reef Waterworld and Odds Farm Park; providing many local outing opportunities for children. Due to its strong community roots, many Ascot Forest Schools, nurseries and preschools – like our Puddleduck Preschool – have strong community values which are instilled in children as they grow and develop, so they are ready for school and beyond.

How to Enrol Your Child at a Forest School in Ascot

Interested in enrolling at our Ascot Forest School, Puddleduck Preschool? Here’s all you need to know about how to enrol:

1. Visit your various Forest Schools – As mentioned above, it’s always good to visit your desired Forest School before enrolling your child. This gives you the chance to see the nursery or preschool in action, meet the team and Forest School teacher, and ask questions about Forest School learning. Book a visit at our Puddleduck Preschool today to see what makes us so special!
2. Make sure you have all the information you need to enrol – While on your Ascot Forest School visit, make sure you speak to the nursery manager to ensure you have all the information you need to enrol and support your child’s Forest School journey. This could include funding entitlement, allocated meals, registration fee, when you can start, how many settle in sessions you need to do etc. This will make the enrolment process smoother overall.
3. Pick your start date – After speaking to the nursery manager, you should have a good indication of when your child can start Forest School. Book in your start date with our Parent Engagement Team or nursery manager, factoring in settling in sessions, that is right for you and your family. Make sure you are aware of when the registration fee and paperwork needs to be completed by too!
4. Pay your registration fee and complete the paperwork – Now all that’s left to do is pay and complete the paperwork! Payment details and paperwork should be sent securely from the nursery manager or Parent Engagement Team. As soon as you make payment, this will secure your spot at your Forest School in Ascot.
5. Start your settling in sessions – Before your child can fully embrace Forest School life, it’s important that you and your child complete all the settle in sessions so they can transition into their Ascot Forest School setting with ease.

Conclusion: Experience the Joy of Forest Schools in Ascot

Ascot is one of the best locations for Forest School learning. With its wide variety of natural environments and access to wildlife parks, it provides children with the best outdoor education where your child can grow their cognitive, physical, mental and emotional development so they can have the very best start in life.

If you think an Ascot Forest School Preschool is the right fit for you and your family, book a visit to our Puddleduck Preschool in Ascot. Meet the Nursery Manager and Forest School lead to find out more information about their outdoor learning and education, and see for yourself the benefits a Forest School nursery and preschool can bring!

Ready to give your child the gift of nature-based learning? Explore forest schools in Ascot today!