CURRICLIUM
Extra Curricular Activities
To extend the learning and creative opportunities for our children, we offer the following extra- curricular activities which are linked to the curriculum.
Forest School
We are extremely lucky to have access to School Outdoors Dulwich, our sister nursery which is a fully outdoor forest school nursery located within Herne Hill Velodrome. Check it out www.schooloutdoors.co.uk.
We have forest school sessions in School Outdoors Dulwich once a week from age two. We either walk there or go in our wonderful 6 seater buggies.
Originating from Scandinavia in the 1950s, Forest School increases children’s understanding of, and appreciation for, the outdoors in a play-based environment. It forms an integral part of our curriculum, as we’ve found real experiences help make learning more purposeful and meaningful.
Forest School is a child-led, outdoor play program that is based on the belief that children learn best by doing. It’s all about making the most of the natural environment to create opportunities for children to develop and grow in self-confidence and independence.
Forest School gives children the chance to learn through play and exploring, encourage them to make choices, develop problem solving skills and develop their imagination. It also helps them to become more resilient by developing new skills such as balancing on logs or climbing trees!
The sessions are run throughout the nursery school day. Your child will be taught how to stay safe outdoors using games, songs and stories. The main aim is for your child to enjoy themselves whilst learning new skills at their own pace.
Forest School supports children to:
Develop an appreciation of nature and all living things
Make independent choices
Assess their own risks
Work as part of a team
Inquisitively question the world around them
Build their problem-solving skills
Adopt a positive attitude to learning
We find our own slice of nature within the capital by taking fortnightly trips to Wimbledon Common and Holland Park. Activities include understanding signs of seasonal changes, observing wildlife and insects, and learning how to use real tools safely.
Forest School is designed to allow children the opportunity to ‘give things a go’, and so we offer consistent encouragement and praise to create a positive experience.
Music
We have our wonderful Music Teacher Kitty visit us on Wednesday’s. Kitty sessions include the opportunity to sing, play instruments and listen and move to music. Music class is designed to nurture a lifetime of music appreciation. During the lesson, they are up on their feet exploring their own space, learning to respond to the music and benefiting from lots of interaction with themed classes and colourful props.
Baking
Our Children are encouraged to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. They love our baking classes on a Monday afternoon, keeping to our nutrition policy of no sugar, salt, additivities.
Football
Coach Rimi leads our football sessions on Tuesday for all children ages 2 and above. Rimi offers different classes tailored to each age group to give children a positive introduction to sport in a fun educational environment!
Gardening
At Under the Willow, we are passionate about taking care of our environment and planting. We try our best at growing vegetables, fruit and herbs. The children love going out to the garden and picking items for the chef to use in their meals that day.