Nursery World - Teachers go down to the woods

Early years practitioners learned how to light fires and build huts in the woods last week, as they finished their training to become the first 'leaders' of Scotland's Forest Schools network. Around 20 trainees took part in a workshop organised by Scottish National Heritage and the Forestry Commission to equip practitioners to take children from the age of three out into the countryside.

Around 20 trainees took part in a workshop organised by Scottish National Heritage and the Forestry Commission to equip practitioners to take children from the age of three out into the countryside.

Forest Schools, which originated in Sweden in the 1950s, have been adopted in the UKfor a number of different groups, including the early years, mainstream schools, mothers with post-natal depression and children with challenging behaviour.

The Forest School leaders' course includes five days of initial training in basic principles, a two-day residential course and first aid. Candidates also have to run a Forest School for at least six sessions.

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