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WillowWoodsForest School

A NATURAL ENVIRONMENTFOR GROWTH

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About us

A natural environment for growth

Willow Woods provides a calm, inspiring space where children can learn through hands-on exploration in nature. Our woodland setting encourages freedom of movement, curiosity, problem-solving, and creativity in a way that traditional classrooms often can't.

Forest School supports holistic development — fostering emotional resilience, physical confidence, independence, and social skills through carefully planned activities and real-world challenges.

  • Tailored learning, rooted in EYFS

    Our educational approach follows the EYFS framework while allowing flexibility for child-led discovery. Each session is designed to meet the individual developmental needs of the children attending.

  • Led by the child

    Children are encouraged to explore at their own pace, engage with open-ended resources, and express themselves freely. We observe their interests and adapt our planning to support meaningful learning in the moment.

  • Core skills, in the woods

    Whether it's early maths through stick counting, literacy through storytelling around the fire circle, or science through seasonal nature walks, children build core skills in a setting that's grounded in curiosity and joy.

  • Freedom to express

    At Willow Woods, we believe children thrive when they are allowed to be curious, make mistakes, solve problems, and connect with the world around them.

  • A practitioner kneeling beside a girl at a tree stump in the woods, the two of them working at it with hand tools
  • A large group of children lying on the grass in a wide circle around a wooden pallet, in a clearing at the edge of the trees
  • Three young children and a practitioner building a wooden train track across a tarpaulin-covered table, with a basket of track pieces beside them
  • The mud kitchen: bowls of mud and water, scales and tins laid out along a wooden bench, with a number line painted on the beam behind
  • Logs burning down to embers in the fire pit, with a child reaching in to add another stick

Sessions

Coming to the woods

We are open 47 weeks per year for flexible day care sessions.

  • Forest School Day Care

    Monday, Tuesday & Thursday

    9am – 3pm

    A learning environment which is constantly evolving, incorporating nature-based play, animal care, crafts, tool use, team games, and exploration. Our funding works alongside other settings to complement a holistic approach.

  • Alternate Provisions

    Wednesday & Friday

    Afternoons

    A calm and therapeutic environment for children who require an alternative to mainstream classroom education. This may include children with additional needs, school anxiety, or those currently out of school placements. Flexible sessions can be arranged.

  • Stay and Play

    Parents and carers with younger children

    Friday, 9.30 – 11.30am

    A relaxed session offering shared time in the woods with access to nature-based activities, play areas, and animal care. A great introduction to the Forest School environment.

To talk about a place, ring us on 01234 567890

Why Willow Woods

What we care about

The things that shape every session in the wood.

  • Ofsted registered

    We are fully Ofsted registered, and operate with clear safeguarding procedures and high standards of care. Our policies and practices ensure that all children are safe, seen, and supported at every stage of their journey with us.

  • Animal care and responsibility

    Animal care forms part of our weekly routine, teaching children about empathy, responsibility, and gentle interaction. These experiences build emotional intelligence and give children a sense of routine, ownership, and pride.

  • Holistic development

    Fostering emotional resilience, physical confidence, independence, and social skills through carefully planned activities and real-world challenges.

  • Curiosity, and room to make mistakes

    Children thrive when they are allowed to be curious, make mistakes, solve problems, and connect with the world around them.

Our team

Experienced, qualified and first aid trained

Willow Woods is led by Mandy, a fully qualified Forest School Leader and Early Years teacher with a passion for outdoor learning. She is supported by a small, passionate team of early years professionals, all of whom are:

  • Trained in paediatric first aid
  • Experienced in supporting a range of developmental and educational needs
  • Committed to safeguarding and inclusive practice
  • Warm, nurturing and welcoming

Come and see

The best way to understand a forest school is to stand in one

We would be very happy to show you and your child around before you decide. Come in boots.

01234 567890hello@willowwoods.org.uk
PLACEHOLDER — Willow Woods, PLACEHOLDER Lane, PLACEHOLDER Town, AB12 3CD
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