The Magic of Woodland Learning: Inside Forest School at Orchidale
- Orchidale Nursery
- Aug 4
- 3 min read
Since August 2020, the Forest School at Orchidale has been on a journey—one that began in a nursery garden and has now flourished into a full Woodland Club nestled within a beautiful estate in the Royal Norfolk Showground, Costessey. With a blend of conifers, meadows, and a wildlife-rich pond, this outdoor haven is not just a location—it’s a philosophy in action.
Why Forest School?
Forest School is more than just outdoor play. It’s a child-centred approach rooted in Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) principles, underpinned by research that shows outdoor learning boosts resilience, independence, and emotional well-being (Knight, 2013). At Orchidale, the forest setting provides the perfect backdrop for deep, sensory-rich learning—whether it’s mud kitchen play, minibeast hunts, or just listening to the wind rustle the trees.
Here, the environment is the third teacher. Children are free to climb, dig, and get gloriously messy, developing core gross and fine motor skills essential for school readiness. Working with clay, spotting insects, or even pretending to drink from mugs of ‘hot chocolate’—these aren’t just cute moments. They’re meaningful, brain-building experiences.
EYFS in Action—Naturally
Each Woodland Club session mirrors the EYFS curriculum, especially in promoting personal, social, and emotional development (PSED). For some children, travelling by minibus to our woodland site is their first adventure away from their usual nursery environment—a milestone that builds confidence and autonomy.
Forest School supports language and communication in unique ways too. When a child wonders aloud, “Why is the moon out?” or says, “The grass is tickling me!” they’re making sense of the world through talk. Research shows that environments rich in sensory experience lead to richer, more complex language use (Whitebread et al., 2012).
STEM learning thrives here too. Our pulley crane—modelled after construction vehicles—invites children to explore gravity, weight, and problem-solving through hands-on play.
Cooking, Community, and Culture
While there’s no open fire, our woodland ‘Base Camp’ is a hub of warmth and connection. Children share fruit snacks and drinks while reflecting on their day. In colder months, warm milk and seasonal treats like hot cross buns connect us to cultural traditions, making every snack time a chance for community learning.
Risky Play? Essential Play
Risky play is often misunderstood, but it’s a cornerstone of healthy child development. At Orchidale, we don’t just allow risk—we embrace it with careful consideration. Our risk-benefit assessments cover activities like tool use and den building, empowering children to learn personal safety, manage uncertainty, and build resilience—skills that will serve them for life (Sandseter, 2009).
Wildlife Wonders and Nature-Based Empathy
Though there are no pet animals on-site, wildlife is abundant. From squirrels and rabbits to birds and bugs, our children are constantly discovering and developing empathy through close contact with nature. Studies have shown that exposure to animals and natural environments boosts empathy and reduces stress in young children (Chawla, 2015).
We even follow the changing seasons through our beloved Horse Chestnut tree, collecting conkers in the autumn and observing how nature cycles back each year.
Planting Seeds of Stewardship
One of the most exciting transformations has been our rewilding project. The once well-trodden woodland floor has been allowed to regenerate, now bursting with native flora and fauna. In 2024, we began creating a new bug hotel and using our tools to maintain the space—fostering teamwork, scientific thinking, and a connection to ecological responsibility.
By rewilding part of the woodland, we’ve modelled sustainability in action—giving children a powerful message: nature takes care of us when we take care of it.
In Summary
Forest School at Orchidale isn’t just an enrichment activity—it’s an educational ethos that brings the EYFS curriculum to life in the most vivid, joyful, and meaningful ways. From sensory-rich play to real-world STEM learning, from nurturing emotional intelligence to fostering environmental stewardship, every muddy bootprint left in the woods is a step toward deeper learning.
Let’s keep letting nature lead the way.
About Us:
Orchidale Children's Nursery is based in a fantastic converted bungalow building in Taverham, 15 minutes from Norwich with childcare places for 2 months-5 year olds. We can offer your child fabulous fun filled days of activities to help children learn and make lots of new friends. We have a fabulous outdoor space with so many area's of learning. Including a separate 0-2's garden, forest school space, large lawn for the children to run around on and so much more! Please come and see us, our beautiful learning area's and our magical garden. If you are searching for a Day Nursery in Norwich, Norfolk then we are the Children's Nursery that goes the extra mile for you and your children.
Visit the Orchidale Nursery website at: www.orchidale.co.uk
#outdoors #outdoorlearning #nature #nuture #forestschool #childdevelopment
