About Us
Welcome to Little Sticks Forest School! We are a fully outdoors Forest School based over 2 sites. We opened our first site in April 2021 on the grounds of Aspull RFC in Wigan. Our 2nd site is now open open and located on the grounds of Greenslate Community Farm in Billinge
We fully embrace the Forest School ethos which to us means that play is at the heart of our practice and we believe that children should be allowed to and encouraged to lead their own learning. Our children are free to play and explore the woodland environment, they are not required to complete activities as we believe that children are capable of learning whilst interacting with the natural environment, experienced staff, woodland structures, books etc.
Our day flows naturally, we make time for snacks around our fire circle and reflection on the days learning. The children have the opportunity to use real tools, cook over a camp fire and help to manage our woodland. The children lead their own learning and are actively encouraged by our extremely experienced staff who are there to facilitate learning by playing, modelling, talking and questioning.
The Forest School was set up by myself (Danielle) after ten years teaching in a primary school and two years at a forest nursery. I found that teaching in a school had become too focused on results so l left and set out to work in a more relaxed environment where I felt that the children were being taught in a developmentally appropriate way. I have taught with some fantastic Forest School Leaders and have fully embraced the ethos. This positive experience led me to want to open my own Forest School setting so as many children as possible can have the opportunity to experience all Forest School has to offer.
Meet The Team
Danielle Field
Owner
MA Early Childhood
BA QTS Primary Teaching specialising in English
Level 3 Forest School Leader
“I taught in the early years at primary school for ten years and then spent two years at a nursery which ran Forest School sessions. After many years in school I was ready to approach teaching children in their early years in a different way. Forest School was the perfect fit for me as it encourages children to learn in a developmentally appropriate way. They learn skills for life in a calm and nurturing environment and are encouraged to think about how important our natural environment is to us all. I hope that through Forest School the children will develop a love of our natural environment that will last a lifetime. It is also so much fun and no day goes by without a good belly laugh!”
Emma Watson
Manager
BA Hons Primary Education with early years QTS
Level 3 Forest School Leader
SEN Co-ordinator
“I love Forest School because it helps children to become resilient, confident and independent. It teaches them to care for our planet and to be conscious of, and respectful to their environment. Children can get muddy, climb, jump and lead their own learning to develop skills and memories that will last a lifetime”
Karen Singleton
Deputy Manager
Level 3 Forest School Leader
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Health & Safety Officer
“I love observing the spark and excitement children display as they explore the amazing learning opportunities the outdoors have to offer. The best part of my job is seeing the children progress and become happy, confident, resilient learners with mud on their faces but always a sparkle in their eyes”
Sarah Lucas
Deputy Manager
Level 3 Forest School Leader
Deputy Desginated Safeguard Lead
Health & Safety Officer
“Watching children grow and flourish is such a pleasure, watching this within a Forest School setting is something else! I am passionate about how Forest School can help a child reach goals they didn’t know were possible. The Forest School ethos encourages child led play all the way and I see on a daily basis how this encourages children to challenge themselves, work together, build resilience and how children start to care for our natural world and everything that lives in it”
Karen Williams
QTS Primary School Teacher
Level 3 Forest School Leader
"I love to see children develop skills such as risk taking, problem solving, relationship building, self-regulation, empathy, communication, tolerance and more. Skills that provide them with a strong foundation for childhood and beyond"
Liza Lewis
Early Years Teacher Status
Level 3 Forest School Leader
"My interest in forest school began when I joined my own children in their nursery setting, for a forest school session. I became a forest school leader in 2018 which then inspired me to retrain and qualify as an early years teacher. I've been working with early years and primary aged children ever since. My passion for forest school comes from a love for the outdoors and the opportunity this provides for children to be free to explore nature and take charge of their own learning"
Fees
Sessions:
We offer full day sessions (8.00am to 5.00pm) and half day sessions (morning 8.00am to 12.30pm, afternoon 12.30pm to 5.00pm) 5 days a week Monday to Friday.
Fees: (Please note we reassess our fees every September and session prices may increase)
Full Day Session = £54.50 (The £54.50 includes the additional forest school session charge of £5 see below)
Half Day Session = £27.25 (The £25 includes the additional forest school session charge of £2.50 see below)
*All sessions are charged at £5.50 per hour with an additional charge of £2.50 for half days and £5 for full days (The additional charge is included in the overall session costs shown above). PLease note we do not apply the additional forest school session charge for 2 year old funded sessions as the funding we receive is sufficient to cover both the hourly rate and the additional forest school session charge.
The additional forest school session charge is an extra charge for providing Forest School as an additional service to the standard EYFS curriculum. The cost is used to cover low staff to children ratios, the additional cost to ensure all staff are qualified to deliver forest school sessions, snacks and drinks, insurance costs for outdoor/adventurous activities and additional clothing held onsite.
If you access 3 and 4 year old funding but don't feel you can afford the additional forest school session charge please contact us to discuss your options.
Funding:
We offer all types of funded places including 2, 3 and 4 year old funding (15 and 30 hours),Tax Free Childcare and Childcare Vouchers. You can also split the funding if your child is attending another setting.
As we are only registered to take children from 2 years old and up we cant access the funding for children aged 9 months up to 23 months.
**Please note the additional forest school session charge for half day and full day sessions is still payable for 3 and 4 year old funded places.
Fees are invoiced monthly in advance of the sessions.
Dates
We are open 46 weeks of the year and follow the Wigan term dates for our holidays:
Autumn Term 2024 (16 Weeks)
Autumn Term Begins: Tuesday 27th August 2024
Autumn Term Ends: Friday 13th December 2024
Spring Term 2025 (13 Weeks)
Spring Term Begins: Thursday 2nd January 2025
Spring Term Ends: Friday 28th March 2025
Summer Term 2025 (17 Weeks)
Summer Term Begins: Monday 31st March 2025
Easter Holiday: Monday 7th April - Friday 11th April 2025 (Closed)
Good Friday: 18th April 2025 (Closed)
Easter Monday: 21st April 2025 (Closed)
May Day: Monday 5th May 2025 (Closed)
Half Term: Monday 26th May - Friday 30th May 2025 (Closed)
School Re-opens: Monday 2nd June 2025
Summer holiday: Monday 11th August - Monday 25th August 2025 (Closed)
