Forest School at Sunshine Montessori

At Sunshine Montessori, we have two Forest School sites, one for our Babies and one for our main nursery. Forest School gives children the chance to achieve and grow in confidence through hands-on experiences in a woodland setting. Rooted in the Scandinavian tradition, it nurtures a lifelong love of nature, encouraging children to explore, create, and take risks in a safe and supportive environment.

Our Forest School is more than just outdoor play—it’s a way of learning that builds independence, resilience, and self-esteem. Children develop motivation, concentration, and problem-solving skills as they work together and follow their own curiosity. Regular visits to the woodland with trusted adults create a rhythm of discovery that feels both exciting and secure.

What Forest School Looks Like

In the warmer months, our children often spend whole mornings at the site, enjoying a mid-morning snack and a picnic lunch outdoors. In the colder seasons, we visit for shorter periods, so children can experience the changing weather, whether it’s crisp winter air, light rain, or even snow. We only avoid visits in extreme weather such as heavy rain, fog, or very low temperatures.

At Forest School, children are encouraged to get muddy, climb, explore, and discover. They learn to respect the environment, from protecting insects and animals to thinking carefully before removing anything from the woods. Every activity is carefully supported by our highly trained staff, with a high adult-to-child ratio ensuring children can take on challenges with confidence and minimal risk.

Above all, Forest School is about joy. It’s about the wonder of discovering a hidden path, the pride in building something with your own hands, and the calm of sitting quietly in nature. It’s an experience that stays with children for life.

If you’d like to read more about Forest School from a parent’s perspective, we recommend this lovely article by a journalist who visited with her daughter.