Our approach and curriculum

The Nurture Forest is based in the large Forest School site in Cubbington C of E primary school. Opening in September 2026 it will provide an outdoor Forest School nursery for children aged 2-5 where through the EY forest school curriculum children will develop in all areas of the EYFS while also developing a deep connection, respect and enjoyment of the outdoors.

The roots of Forest School trace back to Denmark in the 1950s, where early childhood educators emphasised outdoor, play-based learning.

A key influence was the Danish concept of friluftsliv (“open-air living”), encouraging regular contact with nature for health and personal development. Forest kindergartens emerged, allowing children to spend most of their day in woodlands regardless of weather. This type of provision spread across Sweden, Norway, and Finland where they adopted similar models with an emphasis on child-led exploration, risk-taking, practical skills, and emotional resilience. Since the 1990s, Forest Schools have been adopted in the UK where UK practitioners established a shared definition and six core principles of forest school provision; sessions take place over a long-term period, focus on child-led learning and holistic development, supported risk taking, use of a natural woodland environment and the development of community around the provision.

At The Nurture Forest we have combined the EYFS and Forest School principles to develop our own curriculum model in which the provision will be based.

The curriculum will have an emphasis on developing children’s understanding of themselves, physical development and risk taking, building on children’s natural curiosity, forming a sense of community and a respect and understanding of the natural environment.

Keeping families in the loop

We place great importance on ensuring we build and maintain a trusting and open relationship with our families. We have conversations with families when you drop off and pick up your child as well as sending regular updates on your child’s well-being and learning. You will also be invited to termly partnership meetings to discuss your child’s development in more depth.

Learning needs

We are committed to providing inclusive education and aim to provide a learning experience that caters to the needs of all children. As part of our day to day work with children we will be using an assess, plan and review cycle where we will be able to identify any areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage that your child may be experiencing difficulty with and support them to develop further in this area. If we are concerned that there may be an underlying learning need, you are worried about your child’s development or if a learning need or disability has already been identified, we will work with you and external agencies to further the support for your child. If this applies to your child, please get in touch and we can talk to you about our provision in greater depth.