Roche Pebbles – An Overview

This room is open plan with activities planned in accordance with the children’s individual needs, whilst promoting babies development, with the flexibility to allow spontaneous activities initiated by the children.

We have a sleep room which is calm and cosy with a monitoring routine to ensure that your child is sleeping safe and soundly.

During the core hours (9.00am – 3.00pm) early years education is provided, whereby all children are entitled to 15 hours of grant funded sessions per week, the term following the child’s third birthday. Eligible working families maybe able to access a further 15 hours of free funding, but will require checking their eligibility via the Childcare Choices website (i.e. 30 hours funding). A maximum of 10 hours of grant funding per day, for any one child is permitted. Additional hours maybe requested, subject to availability, but will be charged to the parent or carer.

Children are encouraged, during their sessions to choose their own activities alongside those of which are adult-led.

Roche Pebbles Forest School

What is Forest School?

Forest School is a method of working outdoors with children, young people and adults, using the natural environment to promote social and emotional development. It is an inspirational process that offers all learners regular opportunities to develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees. These learning experiences also help to develop communication and practical skills, as well as a greater understanding of the environment.

(Forest School Association)

At Roche Pebbles Childcare Centre, through our Forest School sessions, we hope to encourage independent, enthusiastic and creative learners who develop holistically through a well-planned and interesting child-centred approach.

The Forest School Principles and how they link to our setting:

1. Forest School is a long term process of frequent and regular sessions and aims for children to visit in blocks of six to eight weeks each season. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are all integral parts of the Forest School process.
2. It takes place in a natural ‘woodland’ environment – we have been offered safe and secure grounds within Roche C P School.
3. We aim to promote the holistic development in all of those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
4. We will offer learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and themselves.
5. It will be managed by a qualified Forest School Practitioner(s); Vickie Webber or Kirsty Hunt who have completed their Level 3 Forest School Leader Award.
6. We will use a range of learner centred processes to create a community for development and learning.

Forest School Ethos

At Roche Pebbles we are committed to the ethos of Forest School and aim to:

• Fulfil every child’s potential
• Develop a love of learning that creates independent and confident learners
• Promote a secure, exciting and fascinating learning environment
• Support a positive relationship with home and the wider community
• Promote children’s self-esteem
• Encourage independence
• Promote positive behaviour to ensure the safe running of Forest School sessions
• Provide appropriate adult:child ratios
• Plan sessions that contribute towards a safe environment

Forest School Equal Opportunities Policy

This policy operates in line with the whole setting policy, a copy of which can found on the website or obtained from the manager.

• No child or adult will be discriminated against on any grounds including gender, age*, background, race, religion or ability including SEND.
• Wherever possible, adjustments will be made to accommodate children with allergies, medical conditions or behavioural issues. This may include additional adult helpers, adapting the site if physically possible or adapting activities.
• All participants should feel that their experiences and contributions are worthwhile, so raising self-esteem and confidence.
• Forest School is a child led experience and wherever possible the children will be allowed to follow their own interests providing they show respect for each other and the woodland environment.

*Due to the planned activities and practical reasons, the pre-school children at Pebbles will initially attend Forest School on a regular basis.

The SnugThe Snug is our quiet room for children who may need to escape the bustle of their busy nursery or pre-school surroundings and find a safe place in which to relax and self-regulate. Focused small group work, such as ‘Letters and Sounds’ or phonic work also take place here alongside their key person or our Senco.

The room is equipped with sensory resources, equipment and lighting for children who may flourish and require sensory breaks and stimulation to meet their individual needs.