# Forest school nurseries explained What forest school means at nursery, how outdoor nurseries work, what children do, how safety is handled and what to ask on a visit. By The Toddly editorial team. Updated 11 November 2026. Page: https://toddly.co.uk/guides/forest-school-nurseries A forest school nursery takes children outdoors regularly, in all weathers, to play, explore and learn in woodland or another natural space. Children climb, dig, build dens, use simple tools and sometimes help with small fires, with trained adults supporting them to take manageable risks. Some nurseries run entirely outdoors; others offer regular forest school sessions as part of the week. All registered settings in England still follow the Early Years Foundation Stage. ## What it looks like - **Regular, repeated sessions** in the same place over months, so children get to know it through the seasons. - **Child-led play:** children follow their own interests, from bugs and mud to building with sticks. - **Supported risk:** climbing trees, balancing, using tools such as peelers or hand drills, and supervised fire. - **Small groups** and high adult involvement, especially during riskier activities. - **Simple shelters** for rain, snacks and warming up. ## The ideas behind it Forest school grew out of Scandinavian outdoor education. Its aims include confidence and resilience, physical development, curiosity about nature, cooperation, and learning to judge risk for yourself. Sessions should be led by a qualified forest school practitioner. ## Forest school and the EYFS Registered forest nurseries meet the same [EYFS](/glossary/eyfs) requirements as any nursery, including [staff ratios](/guides/nursery-staff-ratios), safeguarding and first aid, and are inspected by Ofsted. Outdoor learning fits many EYFS areas naturally, especially physical development, communication and understanding the world. ## Practical questions - **How often do children go out, and for how long?** Daily, weekly, or a half-day session? - **Where is the site?** On the nursery grounds, a nearby wood or a minibus ride away? - **Who leads the sessions?** Ask about forest school qualifications. - **What clothing do you need?** Waterproofs, wellies, layers and warm hats. Some nurseries provide suits; others ask you to. - **What happens in extreme weather?** - **How do children rest, eat and use the toilet outdoors?** - **How do you assess risk** and teach children about it? ## A typical session A forest school morning might start with a walk to the site and a safety talk about the boundaries and the fire circle. Children then choose: some hunt for minibeasts under logs, some build a den with tarpaulins and rope, others dig in the mud kitchen or climb a low tree with an adult close by. Snack is often eaten round a fire, with a warm drink. The session ends with a short chat about what everyone found or made, and the walk back. Over the months children return to the same places, notice the seasons change and take on harder challenges as their confidence grows. ## Costs and funding Forest nurseries charge in the same ways as other nurseries, by the day or session, and many offer funded hours. Some charge for kit or transport. Compare the full cost with our [childcare cost calculator](/childcare-cost-calculator). ## Is it right for your child? Many children love it, including those who find indoor settings noisy or confining. Parents often mention confidence, better sleep and a love of being outside. It can be harder for children who feel the cold, and it involves a lot of washing. Some families combine a forest school setting with a more traditional nursery, or choose a nursery with plenty of outdoor time and a weekly forest session. If outdoor play matters to you, also ask any nursery how much time children spend outside each day and whether they can choose to go out. Take our [visit checklist](/nursery-visit-checklist), and see the [forest school glossary entry](/glossary/forest-school) for a short definition. ## Related - [Nursery visit checklist](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery-visit-checklist) ## Frequently asked questions ### Do children really go outside in all weathers? Usually yes, apart from dangerous conditions such as high winds or storms. Children need the right clothing, which some nurseries provide and others ask you to supply. ### Is forest school safe? Sessions are risk-assessed and led by trained practitioners. Children take small, supported risks, such as climbing or using simple tools, with close supervision. ### Can I use funded hours at a forest nursery? Yes, if the nursery is registered and offers funded places, as most do.