Who we are
Childminding at Forest School is a unique setting situated in the beautiful Cheshire East countryside and adjoining Brereton Heath Nature Reserve.
What makes us unique?
We are four childminders, all using a gentle parenting approach working together to fully support each child with high quality interactions. A long with the education theory of Steiner and the Forest School ethos, we use nature and natural resources to nurture and work with each child in a very gentle and compassionate way. Our main areas of focus are emotional development and self regulation, social skills, confidence, resilience and independence.
All our days, sessions and groups take place outside in our gardens or in the woodlands. We have a cosy cabin with a log burner, fire circles and shelters, all of which are available throughout the year, to rest or nap. Winter weather can provide so much exploration and learning opportunities and with the correct clothing children are comfortable, warm and are able to enjoy winter fresh air.
We provide a healthy vegan menu of meals and snacks. Everyone is free to bring any foods in their packed lunches. We grow a lot of our own fruit and vegetables encouraging the children to help plant, tend, harvest, cook, eat and compost.
Our aims
To offer a spacious and challenging environment for child led learning and play.
Support and develop the capacity for each child to experience and be at ease with self-driven learning and exploration.
To begin to take risks and risk assess situations, allowing the benefits of independence, confidence, resilience and self-care to unfold.
Build each child’s emotional development, supporting them with strategies of self-regulation.
Support the development of creative expression for each individual.
Encourage every child to look after themselves, look after each other and look after our world.
Sessions
Childminding
Using a gentle parenting approach, our days are led and paced by the children. We have time to really nurture, share experiences and talk to the children. Our leaders provide activities which the children may participate in but are free to continue their own play and exploration if they choose. We accept all government funding.
Age: 2 to 4
Day: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Time: 8.30am to 5pm
Home Ed
Our Home ed group gives home educated and flexi schooled children the opportunity to play and learn in a safe, stimulating environment, using natural resources to stimulate their imagination. Facilitated by Growing Wild Community, life skills, coping strategies for emotions/behaviours and personal responsibility are at the heart of our sessions.
Age: 5 to 10
Day: Monday
Time: 9am to 3pm
Stay & Play
Join us for a truly magical experience in our Steiner stay & play, delivered by Enchanted Roots. Following the wheel of the year through story telling, songs, crafts and activities. Embrace the warmth of the community in circle and fire gatherings. Drinks and snacks available adults and children.
Age: Birth to 4
Day: Wednesday
Time: 9.30am to 11.30am
Birthday Parties
Are you fed up with soft play and bouncy castles? Stress free, we will do everything for you, all you need to do is bring a birthday cake. Ladybugs and Slugs offer birthday parties in a safe, stimulating environment to fire up your child's imagination. Our parties are a great way to get children outside, in nature and experience new things.
Age: 2 to 8
Day: Saturday
Time: 11am to 1pm
Meet the team
Our team provide time and space to have quality interactions with each child. The children will benefit from the personal care of their own childminder with the added benefit of developing additional friendships with lots of other children. Our small, dedicated team offers diverse yet complimentary areas of expertise. This includes backgrounds from primary teacher, teaching assistant, foster carer, therapeutic nature worker, forest school practitioner, preschool practitioner, Steiner early years educator . Every member of the team has an enhanced DBS check, emergency aid training, food hygiene and safeguarding training.
Mal Wadkin
Childminder
Steph Jillings
Childminder / Home ed
Emma Adams
Home ed
Kay Wadkin
Childminder
Bekki Woolliscroft
Childminder
Cheryl King
Stay & Play
Safeguarding
Our prime responsibility is the welfare and well being of children in our care. It is our duty to record and report any concerns we may have, under the Children Act 1989, the Children Act 2006 and the government document Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Operation Encompass Safeguarding Statement
Our setting is part of Operation Encompass. Operation Encompass is a national police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people who experience and witness Domestic Violence and Abuse. Operation Encompass is in place in every police force in England and Wales.
Contact us
For more information please complete the form or contact us at:
Email: childmindingatforestschool@outlook.com
Childminding at Forest School
On the grounds of Davenport Methodist Church
Holmes Chapel Road
Congleton
CW12 4SS