Forest School has returned to all four sites of a Telford day nursery chain – along with a familiar face.
Louise Cooper had worked at ABC Day Nursery based at Lightmoor for 10 years until 2014 when she left to start her own family.
But two children later Louise has returned to lead the Forest School programme for the pre-school children at all four Ofsted Outstanding sites at Lightmoor, Hoo, Hadley and Hollinswood.
As mother of four-year-old William and 15-month-old Poppy, Louise said she knows what children love to do – get out there in the fresh air and get muddy!
Louise, who was the lead practitioner at ABC Lightmoor from the day the site opened in 2012, holds a BA hons in Early Years Education and holds her Forest School level 3 qualification.
She said: “I ran the Forest School at Lightmoor prior to leaving to have my two children and I knew how much the children loved it. Wellies, waterproofs, hats and gloves at the ready – the children thrived during the sessions.
“In my previous role I couldn’t cover Forest School at all four sites but in this new role as the Forest School lead I can and it is very exciting.
“Every site ABC has is very different – at Lightmoor we get to walk into the woodland, enjoy a small stream and look for mini beasts.
“At Hoo we are already in a very rural area so the opportunities are endless and despite Hollinswood and Hadley both offering different sites again the children will still get to enjoy a full Forest School programme.
“The children will get to enjoy fire building and marshmallow toasting, stay and plays with their parents and carers, use tools to make things such as wooden pegs and use magnifying glasses to find those mini beasts.”
The sessions will be included in the current nursery fee and the morning sessions will be rotated through the terms so different children get to enjoy Forest School according to their days.
“Every day is a new experience at nursery which is fantastic for the children and already the children are asking which day is Forest School so we know how much they enjoy it.
“It is a perfect time of year to launch the new programme too as the area is so beautiful and there will be plenty of puddles and mud for them all,” she added.
For more information about ABC Day Nursery visit http://www.abc-daynursery.co.uk/