Tops Salisbury Celebrates the Opening of Its New Forest School

On 15 September, Tops Day Nurseries celebrated an exciting new chapter at Tops Salisbury with the opening of its brand-new Forest School space. Designed to give children the opportunity to learn, explore and play in a natural environment, the new Forest School will become a regular part of the nursery experience, with children heading outdoors once a week to discover the wonders of nature.

A day of discovery and adventure

The opening was a wonderful opportunity for the children to get to know their new outdoor space. From getting creative with nature painting to working together to build dens, there were plenty of opportunities for exploration, teamwork and imaginative play.

The children also enjoyed taking part in a Forest Hunt, discovering what they could find in their surroundings and beginning to develop a deeper connection with the natural world. As well as having fun, the children were introduced to the rules of the Forest School area and learned about the tools they will be using during future sessions.

Hayley, Nursery Manager at Tops Salisbury, said:

“The children had so much fun exploring their new outdoor space, getting creative with nature painting, working together to build dens and enjoying a forest hunt. We also spent time learning the rules of our Forest School area and being introduced to the tools we will be using. It was lovely to see the children getting stuck in, exploring their surroundings and enjoying everything our new space has to offer. We can’t wait to see where our Forest School adventures take us!”

Learning through nature

At Tops, we believe that outdoor play is an essential part of a child’s development. Children are encouraged to spend time outdoors as often as possible and in all kinds of weather. Whether it is enjoying the sunshine, feeling the breeze or jumping into puddles, every outdoor experience offers children something new to discover.

Tops Forest School takes this philosophy a step further by bringing the curriculum outdoors. Through regular Forest School sessions and outings, children can learn about the natural world through hands-on experiences, developing skills in a setting that is very different from the traditional indoor classroom. Being outdoors can also provide children with opportunities to develop self-confidence, independence, self-regulation and a sense of wonder. Exploring natural environments encourages children to ask questions, solve problems, take appropriate risks and work together with their friends.

Creating memories in the great outdoors

Tops Forest School is inspired by the renowned Scandinavian Forest School model, which places a strong emphasis on children’s connection with nature and learning through real-life experiences. The aim is to create meaningful experiences that children can carry with them as they grow — from building their first den and discovering a new insect to learning how to use tools safely and working together as a team.

For the children at Tops Salisbury, the opening of their new Forest School marks the beginning of many exciting adventures. With a new natural space to explore each week, there will be countless opportunities to discover, create, investigate and learn.

We can’t wait to see where their Forest School adventures take them!