Whilst half term means a break for some of our children, educators are always excited to see holiday campers who have passed through the Wandsworth Forest Folk Family in the years before. It’s genuinely great to have a big hug with our previous little ones who have proudly been telling us about their new play and learning adventures in “big school” Reception classes and Year 1. We were delighted with some of the drawings that were brought in for Keyworkers and it’s clear that the close bonds we create with our children are long lasting. We also see that with the additional language of the goings on at “big school” our current children are helpfully introduced to ideas about the next steps in their lives, which does influence a positive outlook on the incoming changes for some.
At the start of the week, there was some determined planter preparing, as a group of children filled a repaired council recycling box. These containers take 55 litres, so it required patience and perseverance to fill it right up to reach the goal of planting. Educators explained how a variety of layers would help in different ways. We began with the veg and fruit scraps from the morning snack, which would create an internal compost for the worms, and some of the children remembered to separate out the orange peel as worms are averse to citrus fruit acidity! Next, came stones and rocks for good drainage, found around the field and sieved at the mud kitchen area. Then, a mix of rich soils, before a final sandier mix more suited to the sedums we had planned to plant. The unusual sedums, bought from a nursery were rich in colour and texture which everyone loved, and children helped to pull them apart to spread around their new home. We plan to make a fairy house and some pet stones soon for this new garden and we can’t wait to watch it all grow.
Planting continued for others in the evening at the Bowling Club, with children designing faces for “cress head cups”, and here we saw some really strong pencil holding make circles for eyes, triangles for eyes and considered lines for mouths. Scissor skills and gluing followed to get the features into position. Then, soil was spooned “full to the top” of cups and pressed down to take the cress seeds. Children were highly engaged with the whole process, finally sprinkling as many seeds as possible on top, and at the end of the day they were proudly shown to parents at collection, who we know will help water them at home.
Back in the forest, we’ve all been amazed with the awesome ever-changing weathers, and we have all been treated with “river” making rain, “whooshing” wind, “banging” thunder and even some well-deserved rays of sunshine. On Thursday, an adventure walks to see the yellow flowering gorse with all its “dinosaur spikes” was enjoyed by everyone. The team then moved to the Sunny Hill and children whizzed down, arms aloft like aeroplanes, being given a boost by the swishing wind!
Another great week, making the most out of two excellent outdoor spaces, and we can’t wait to do it all again soon!
Little Forest Folk
Wandsworth