Squirrels Forest School - Summer Term 2025

Forest School involves child-led activities in a natural space, where the free parts lend themselves to the child's imagination. The Leader will provide resources, and demonstrate activities but the child is free to participate in ways that suit them. Leaders encourage investigation and exploration

We take children from around 18 months (who are confidently walking), up to school age. For older children, we recommend our 'Be Wild' family sessions and for afterschool clubs or home ed groups, please contact us: thehive@walthamforest.gov.uk.

Younger siblings can attend free of charge but older siblings who are actively participating, will still need to pay.

Regular free-choice play includes mud kitchen and water play, hammocks, dens, tree swing, bug hunting. There is also usually a combination of story, trail or craft on a theme of the week. In colder months, we offer a campfire but during summer we spend longer in the woods instead.

The Forest School Leader will provide resources, activities and keep an overall eye on safety. However, it is the attending adults' responsibility to supervise their child throughout. We encourage adults to play alongside, but also give children space to follow their interests instead of directing.

Layers of clothing that you don't mind getting muddy and a pair of wellies are ideal. (We will go in the stream most days.) Layers allow you to adjust if you are too hot/cold. Waterproofs keep out the wind, rain and splashes. As adults are less active, they often get colder so remember yourself!

Your usual pack of snacks and drinks, and a change of clothes if your child loves getting really messy. Sun cream or insect repellant in warmer months. In Autumn and Spring term we will have a campfire so bring something to toast on a stick e.g. bread-based foods, babybel, pre-cooked sausages.

At the start and end of the session you will have access to our toilets, including an accessible toilet with baby change table. There are no toilets in the forest, so you may choose to bring a porta-potty or go in the woods. We will not be far from the center if you need to go back and use toilets.

There is no cafe or shop on site. The nearest eateries are The Owl pub at Lippet's Hill (family-friendly) and options at High Beech (tea hut and The Oak pub). We cannot guarantee you can stay for a picnic on site, if we have other groups in.

We have free on-site parking but this is limited so please consider car-sharing. Please park in the white car park bays and avoid blocking gates. We have a cycle rack for your use. The nearest public transport hub is Chingford station: a 3km walk through the Forest on primarily hard-surface tracks.

We advise arriving 10 minutes before the start so you can get dressed into your outdoor clothes and use the toilets. If you are running late, please let us know by calling 0208 508 0611

We run in most weather, so please check the forecast and dress appropriately. We modify activities to the conditions on the day. In extreme weather, we may cancel or run an alternate session indoors. We will offer you a refund or exchange event if WE cancel.

We offer refunds (minus the booking fee) if you give us more than 7 days' notice from the start of your block booking individual session. Within 7 days, you will be charged in full. We do not offer partial refunds on block bookings but the price reflects the reality that you may miss some sessions.