Where are you? Where can I park?

The Child in the Wild Forest School site is in a beautiful private woodland in Owermoigne, Dorset. Exact instructions to our location are given at booking, but parking is either on the main road (Moreton Road) or in the woodland car park. From the road, there is a 10-15 minute (depending on little legs!) walk from the main road to our site, which is clearly signposted. Please factor in this short walking time when you arrive for your session.  The woodland carpark is accessible via a track (unless there's been a lot of rain!), and is less than a minutes walk from our Forest School site. We will be ready and waiting to greet you in the woods!

 

Please note: Please do not drive into the woodland if the track is very wet/the ground is soft, unless you have a 4x4 vechicle,  and please note that we have no means available to rescue you if you do get stuck! Similarly, the track into the woodland is mostly suitable for off-road prams or prams with large wheels (e.g. Mountain Buggy/Out n' About prams). Baby-wearing may be a better option if you are bringing a non-walker into the woodland. 

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Can I leave my child with you?

All of our sessions require a responsible adult (over 18 years old) to be present with children under the age of 16 years old for the entire duration of the sessions. However, Forest School should be mostly child-led, so although parents/carers are requested to supervise their childen, they are also welcome to sit back with a hot (or cold!) drink, while the children are free to participate and explore as they choose. During certain sessions, for example Family Forest School sessions, the whole family/group is invited to join in, including adults! Forest School is for everyone, and we hope that you will find a session that suits you. Unfortunately, we do not currently offer a childcare or nursery facility within our setting, unless early years settings wish to bring groups of children into the woods with their own staff.

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Is there a toilet and/or baby changing facilities?

Yes! We have a compost toilet on-site and cold water hand-washing facilities. We also have a baby changing mat available, but we do ask that you kindly take any nappies (and sanitary products) home with you, as we do not have the correct disposal system in the woodland for these items. Eco nappy bags, biodegradable baby wipes and a small selection of eco sanitary products are provided incase they are needed (we've all been there!). Please note: there are 5 steps leading up to the compost toilet with a two level handrail on each side.

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Can I bring my dog?

Unfortunately not. We love dogs (and have a looney labrador at home!), but sadly we cannot allow dogs (except guide dogs in agreed circumstances) into the Forest School for several reasons, including but not limited to; possible participant allergies, fearfulness, faeces and disruption to wildlife.

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What if it's raining and/or cold?

Forest School runs in all weathers (except in high winds or snow/ice). We love the rain, sun, cold and warm here at Child in the Wild! Each season and each weather type offers an abundance of learning opportunities in the woodland. We are firm believers that 'there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!'. Please see our recommended kit list for each season under the next question below. As long as you come dressed for the weather (which usually involves lots of layers!) there is plenty of fun to be had, whatever the weather! We will always have a large tarp shelter up to shelter under when required, and there will be a campfire at most sessions to warm up next to, boil water on, and to toast marshmallows (over 5's) or stick-bread over too of course! If high winds or other unsafe weather conditions such as snow/ice force us to cancel a session, participants that had booked onto the cancelled session will be offered a full refund or offered to book onto a future date to attend the session. 

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Outdoor clothing/financial difficulty. Please note: If you do not have, and do not have the means to buy or borrow, suitable outdoor clothing for your children, please contact us before your session and we will do what we can to help. We have a limited stock of wellies, boots, coats, waders, hats, gloves, sunhats, snowsuits and puddlesuits, in a variety of sizes, to lend to those who need them for the duration of your session. Similarly, if you/your child would really love to come to our Forest School sessions and think that you would benefit from them, but are not able to afford the cost of sessions due to low income/financial difficulty, please send us an email, as we may have a way to help get you into the woods for free!  We will always do our best to help get you here and kitted up in the appropriate gear in a discrete manner, so please do not be afraid to ask! We do not want inadequate clothing or financial difficulty to be a barrier for people who would like to attend our sessions. 

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What should we wear?

Within any Forest School setting, suitable clothing and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) are crucial for both staff and participants, to ensure that everyone stays safe, warm, dry, and comfortable. Any PPE needed (such as anti-cut gloves) will be provided by us during the sessions. However, personal clothing requirements vary from season to season, so below is a recommended kit list for adults and children attending Forest School sessions across the seasons and in all weathers (please note: bringing a spare set of clothes to sessions for children is always a good idea! Just in case...);

Spring

• Sturdy, closed toe shoes/boots, or wellies in wet weather

• A light, waterproof coat

• At least 2 upper body, long-sleeved layers e.g., a top and a fleece

• Long trousers or joggers/leggings

• Warm socks

• A puddle suit in wet weather for children

• Extra layers for young children

Summer

• Sturdy, closed toe shoes/boots, or wellies in wet weather

• A light, waterproof coat in wet weather

• A light, long-sleeved top and at least 1 other upper body layer e.g., a fleece

• Long, light trousers or leggings

• A sunhat and sun-cream in sunny, warm weather

Autumn

• Sturdy, closed toe shoes/boots, or lined wellies in wet weather

• A waterproof coat in wet weather

• At least 2 upper body, long-sleeved layers e.g., a top and a fleece

• Long trousers or joggers/leggings, and/or waterproof trousers/waders

• Warm socks (and a spare pair)

• A puddle suit or snow suit for children

• Hats, gloves, and scarves in cold weather

• Extra layers/spare, dry clothes for children

Winter

• Sturdy, closed toe shoes/boots, or lined wellies in wet weather

• A warm, waterproof coat in wet weather

• At least 2 upper body, long-sleeved layers e.g., a top and a fleece/thermal top

• Long trousers or leggings/thermal trousers, and/or waterproof trousers/waders

• Warm socks (and a spare pair)

• A puddle suit or snow suit for children

• Hats, gloves, and scarves in cold weather

• Extra layers/spare, dry clothes for children

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If Forest School sounds like something you, or someone you know would enjoy and benefit from, please come and join us in the woods where you will be warmly welcomed by smiling faces, a warm drink, and a roaring fire. Just click on the 'Book online' tab at the top of the page, or please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We can't wait to meet you!