For all bookings please visit this booking page:
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https://bookwhen.com/sunshineforestschool

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BEING OUTSIDE BRINGS ALL KINDS OF WONDERFUL.

There is no WiFi in the forest but I promise you will find a better connection!

Sunshine Forest School and Nature group.
​Tel: 07970277358
​Email: [email protected] 

 Our LocationsSunshine Forest School operates across several beautiful outdoor sites in and around Belper, with different sessions taking place at different locations.
Our Holiday Clubs and some school programmes are held at Handley Farm, Wilderbrook Lane, Shottle, Belper, DE56 2DT, where we have access to our dedicated woodland site. Please note that parking at the farm is limited.
Our Stay & Play sessions take place in the woodland at Belper Community Hall, providing an accessible natural space close to the centre of Belper.
We can also bring Forest School to you. If your school, nursery or organisation has its own woodland or suitable outdoor space, our experienced practitioners can deliver sessions at your site.

STICKS

At Forest School, a stick is never just a stick.
In this photo, it started life as a rocket launcher. Later, it became an essential part of a den, before being transformed into mallets and tent pegs and, eventually, fuel for our fire.
Big sticks, little sticks, long sticks, short sticks - at Forest School, all games with sticks are allowed. A simple stick can become a tool, a building material, a prop, a toy or something entirely new.
There are no instructions and no right answers – just imagination, creativity and the freedom to see what something could become.
Let their imaginations run free.

MUD

Without rain, there would be no mud - and we LOVE mud at Sunshine Forest School!
Rainy days bring a whole new world of opportunities for exploration and play. We might build shelters to keep our fire dry, splash through puddles, make mud pies, create muddy masterpieces or simply enjoy experiencing the woodland in a completely different way.
We don't hide from the rain -we embrace it. Experiencing changing weather and seasons is an important part of developing children's connection with the natural world.
That's why appropriate clothing is so important. Being warm, dry and comfortable gives children the freedom to explore, play and learn whatever the weather brings.
As the saying goes:
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”
So bring your waterproofs, pull on your wellies and come and discover just how much fun a rainy woodland can be!

Bushcraft skills

What’s an outdoor adventure without something delicious cooking over the fire, a warming drink and, of course, a marshmallow or two?
At Sunshine Forest School, our days can be filled with creating things from natural materials, climbing trees, building dens, playing games, learning bushcraft skills and letting our imaginations run wild.
But gathering around the campfire is also an important part of the Forest School experience. Children learn about fire safety and responsibility, how fires are built and managed, and how we can safely use them to cook outdoors.
From preparing ingredients to cooking and sharing food together around the fire, it’s about far more than simply having something tasty to eat. It develops confidence, independence, practical skills, teamwork and responsibility - with plenty of fun along the way.
And somehow, food always seems to taste that little bit better when you've cooked it yourself over a campfire! 

Children don't need more toys, they need more adventures.
Sara Mueller
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Pre school and nursery work

Morning, Afternoon or day sessions. 

We currently work with a number of pre-schools, nurseries and primary schools across Belper and Derbyshire, delivering high-quality Forest School experiences for children of all ages.
Settings can bring their children to one of our woodland sites, or our experienced Forest School practitioners can come to you and deliver sessions within your own woodland or suitable outdoor space.
Our programs can be tailored to the age, needs and interests of your children, providing opportunities to develop confidence, independence, resilience, creativity, practical skills and a meaningful connection with the natural world.
If your nursery, pre-school, school or childcare setting is interested in introducing Forest School, please get in touch. We'd be very happy to discuss your requirements and arrange a trial session so you can experience what Sunshine Forest School can offer.

PArties and holiday clubs

Holiday clubs and Parties 

We run our popular Forest School Holiday Clubs throughout most school holidays, giving children the opportunity to spend their days exploring, creating, playing and adventuring outdoors.
Activities vary with the seasons and the interests of the children, but may include fire lighting, campfire cooking, den building, woodland crafts, tool use, games, nature exploration and plenty of child-led play.
We also offer a range of Forest School parties for children who fancy celebrating their special day a little differently – think woodland adventures, fires, food and lots of muddy fun!
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for upcoming Holiday Club dates, or visit our Parties page to find out more about celebrating with us.

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