Woodland Kindergarten

Cambridge Steiner School is breaking new ground starting one of the first woodland kindergarten initiatives in the UK. A group of 3-6 year olds is spending two mornings a week discovering the woods and meadows of Fulbourn Fen, and will be there right through the seasons, come rain or shine.

Inspiration for the project comes from well-established outdoor kindergartens in Scandinavia, Scotland and Germany. These provide the opportunity for today's increasingly house-bound children to explore their local natural environment, while getting plenty of fresh air and, most importantly, having great fun outdoors.

"There are endless possibilities for movement - the children can run, jump, roll, balance, climb," says Deborah Winfield, project co-ordinator, "but it's not just about physical energy. There are moments of quiet fascination when a child stands completely still, utterly absorbed in their own discovery. These moments can spark an interest in the world and an understanding of it that last a lifetime."

"Being surrounded by the magic of the woodlands and meadows really inspires the children's imaginative and creative play" adds teacher Beate Guertler Green. "We are already seeing growing confidence, and a strong sense of cooperative community spirit. The children love their time in the woods".

The woodland visits are proving so successful that plans to extend the initiative are in the pipeline.