We recognise that children learn in a plethora of different ways and to ensure we are educating the whole child, we offer Forest School once a week in our Fishponds setting.

Montessori education primarily centres around the carefully prepared classroom environment, where children are supported to develop independence, concentration, and a love of learning through purposeful, hands-on activities. The structure, order, and materials within a Montessori classroom are designed to nurture self-regulation, curiosity, and deep engagement in a way that forms the foundation of children’s learning and development.

Alongside this, Forest School can complement Montessori practice by extending opportunities for exploration and growth beyond the classroom walls. Experiences in nature support children’s physical development, problem-solving, and resilience, while also encouraging collaboration and risk assessment in real-world contexts. These outdoor experiences enhance creativity and wellbeing, which can feed back into children’s focus and confidence in the classroom.

Although the Montessori classroom remains the central focus, the addition of Forest School can enrich children’s overall development, offering a balance between structured, purposeful indoor learning and open-ended, experiential outdoor play. Together, the two approaches can support children holistically while keeping Montessori philosophy at the heart of practice

Our younger children may not be quite ready for the walk to the woods, but we ensure they have plenty of smaller trips out into the community. Regularly visiting the park, local bakery and shops as we build their social skills and stamina so that they are ready for those forest adventures when they head up to preschool.