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On 11th May 2020 the UK government published ‘OUR PLAN TO REBUILD: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy‘.
It has been met with some confusion about what it means for specific circumstances.
On the same day the Department for Education published ‘Guidance Actions for education and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020‘
and
We recommend that Forest School leaders read the guidance from DfE in full.
The FSA Perspective
Hello
Thanks. Quick question if it is a parent and toddler group privately run I guess we would not be able to run except in individual family groups or the other guidance about 6 people can meet up (including children) following of course the new virus updates risk/benefit assessments?
Thanks again,
Belle
This is really helpful. Many thanks for this and all the other information you have provided throughout this period. It feels more than ever as though we are part of something much larger and the FSA is moving from strength to strength, reaffirming its core values and principles which make it different from other outdoor approaches, all of which have value.
Thank you for that very kind comment Rachel. Its been a pretty difficult time and it is great to see people working together.
Thank-you. This is a massive help and gives me confidence to re-open as I have been itching to do!
That’s great Clare. Good luck and stay safe.
It is a real support to have the overwhelming amount of information deciphered with a Forest School context in mind. Thank you so much for putting all of this together.
Coming back to work after a dose of COVID, your comment is greatly appreciated.
I appreciate you putting this together, thank you.
One final comment! The other issue for another one of my early years provisions, is that our forest school takes place in the adjacent public woodland, which is owned by the Wildlife Trust. And the guidelines produced on 24th April say public outdoor places can not be used by preschools. So which ever way I look I can’t see my forest school work restarting anytime soon….
Like you Lauren, I am thinking there will be many cases where circumstances mean Forest School is less or more likely to offer solutions. The preschool alliance will be amending their advice as things move forward.
Updated GOV advice 12.05.20
‘We are also asking nurseries and other early years providers, including childminders, to begin welcoming back all children. Alternative provision settings should mirror the approach being taken for mainstream schools… Special schools, special post-16 institutions and hospital schools will work towards a phased return of more children and young people without a focus on specific year groups.’
One real concern… Children travel to forest school on minibuses from school to site in 2 of my forest school settings. So whilst the encouragement is to take the children outdoor more, in those schools without suitable outdoor space, I fear the transport will stop forest schools happening.. Any support on handling this issue as things unfold would be helpful…
I wonder if there will be a move to leaving empty spaces in minibuses, along the lines of air travel?
Thanks. The information in the presentation relating to mental health is especially relevant and useful at this time. I fear that the awful statistics on mental health disorders in children from 2017 will be even worse now. Without a doubt there is a case for more forest school as part of the recovery phase of the Covid 19 pandemic… Lets hope those holding the purse strings see this….
Thank you for your support. This could be incredibly useful when trying to persuade headteachers of the benefits of Forest School being done adhering to the 6 principles, even without the virus.
Very helpful. Thank you.