Saplings at Somerhill

Dear parents We have some exciting news for you! We are delighted to be launching a new Pre-School session called ‘Saplings’, to complement our existing offering.

What is Saplings?

Saplings is a full day outdoor programme based on the principles of Forest School. The aim being to further develop the skills necessary for our children to be ready for Reception and to instil qualities that will prepare them for life.

Why choose Saplings sessions?

At Somerhill we have always recognised the importance of outdoor learning, which is why all children each week have curriculum time outside in the school grounds. We have decided to take this a step further by developing ‘Saplings’. Sessions at Saplings, come rain or shine, will offer an opportunity to help children learn to develop their confidence, grit and resilience, as well as their common sense, team spirit and initiative as they lead their own learning in a magical natural classroom. Sessions will take place in the outdoor woodland Saplings area which will have facilities needed to support self-care, clean running water, a Yurt for protection when needed, and plenty of nature to provide the education. Our Forest School trained and accredited staff and qualified EYFS teacher will provide fun, safe days in the outside classroom all year round. They will feed back milestone moments to your child’s keyworker which can then be shared with parents on Tapestry.

Saplings is for children only. It is not a child/parent’s programme though we hope to invite you to come and play at different times throughout the year.

How is it different to the existing offering?

Our Pre-School programme currently offers wonderful days in school, preparing the children for their learning journey ahead. The robust and child-centred creative curriculum that our Pre-School practitioners develop each term, based on the children’s interests and needs, is outstanding and prepares them for their exciting start to Reception.

Saplings complements this learning by offering a different environment in the quiet and calm of the outdoors. With no agenda, the child’s inquisitive nature leads them through each day under the guidance of our nurturing staff.

How many sessions can I choose?

Parents can choose up to two days of Saplings and complement that with three days in the classroom. Whatever your child is doing, we recommend a larger balance of classroom time within the week and a day or two outside. This hybrid Pre-School offering is completely at parents’ discretion and your child’s key worker can support you in your decisions if you need further guidance.

The opportunity to spend sessions in the classroom enjoying the creative curriculum with enriched specialist teaching and then a day or two outside for woodlands adventure, is going to prepare our Somerhill children to be fully rounded individuals, which fits our ethos of developing amazing people.

What is the structure of the day?

Rising 3s Sessions available Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings 8.30-11.00am Tuesday afternoons 12.30-3.00pm (Parents to provide a drink and snack) Rising 4’s Sessions available Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8.30-3pm (Parents to provide a snack, drink and packed lunch) Wrap around care: Children needing extended care can join breakfast club at 7.30am and Late Stay or After School Care at 3.00pm- 5.45pm.

Please also see ‘A Day in the life of a Sapling’ information attached to this letter.

Where will the Saplings outdoor classroom be located?

We are currently developing a small woodland area adjacent to the formal gardens. The estates team are working hard to prepare all the amenities and we have purchased a wonderful Mongolian yurt to provide shelter. The area will be fully fenced and will allow the children room to roam, grow their own vegetables and explore the fauna and flora. The area is risk assessed daily and tree surgeons visit throughout the year or following adverse weather, as they do now, because safety is always paramount. Nature can be unpredictable, however, where we can be prepared, we are. In high winds the children will explore more open areas away from trees or come into school.

The yellow route shows Saplings drop off and pick up area for parents.

Is there any extra kit I will need to buy?

Each season will be different. When we send out sessions forms, you will get a suggested kit list each term.

For the Trinity term, for R3 and R4 we recommend: A long sleeved T-shirt A summer hat School tracksuit Trainers/wellies depending on the weather Waterproof trousers Waterproof jacket Waterbottle Sunscreen Piece of fruit or a vegetable snack For those children working towards independent toileting, please supply nappies and disposal bags.

There will be toilets, a changing table and clean running water.

For those staying full days in Rising 4’s/Kindergarten: A packed lunch Once you have signed up for a Sapling’s session, a full kit list will be sent to parents. We will also be arranging a meet the teacher get-together, when you will be able to ask any further questions .

Who will be supervising my child each day?

Sarah Woodgate is our new lead Somerhill Saplings teacher. As a qualified teacher and a Level 3 trained Forest School leader, she has a tremendous amount of experience in setting up and delivering outdoor education. Katie Ochmann is the assistant Sapling teacher and is currently working towards her Level 3 Forest School qualification.

We are delighted to be able to offer our Somerhill families this new hybrid Pre-School programme.

The outdoor adventures that the children will have year-round will plant many happy memories as well as being instrumental in developing their character. Please do get in touch with me should you have any further questions.

With best wishes Amanda McKnight

Å Dåÿ ïñ Thë Lïfë øf å Såplïñg Prë-Sçhøølër A child directed learning day

GOOD MORNING! First thing’s first - a warm welcome from your Saplings teachers! Before the session begins you are free to play with your friends whilst your parent /carer catches up with the teacher to share important information.

Then it is time to join your friends and Sapling’s teachers for a morning circle session. We will sing our special song, share a poem, story, or a non-fiction book, talk about nature, animals, and insects. There will be a weekly theme for all areas of our learning. There will be plenty of activities on offer to inspire everyone. This will be a time for you to think about…

What would you like to do today?

• Explore the woodland, use the binoculars and specimen pots to look for and carefully capture insects, or help make a mini-beast hotel?

• Maybe you could build a drey for a squirrel puppet, a burrow for a hedgehog or a nest for a bird? We must remember to fill the bird feeders too!

• Let’s light the fire to make hot chocolate, a warm and soothing treat for snack.

SNACKTIME By now you must be hungry? Would you like to help prepare a snack for you and your friends? Let’s wash our hands. There is plenty of fruit to peel and cut up.

We will join with our friends for a social time, to share food and conversation. Your Sapling’s teachers are looking forward to hearing about your morning’s activities. What a lovely time for a catch up.

BACK TO PLAYING Let’s get back to playing again. We could carry on with what you were doing before snack, or we could try something different?

How about?

• Drawing – Let’s find some chalk or use charcoal made from the fire.

• Painting – We can crush up some berries or mix mud with water to make paint.

• Craft – We have some clay to make a hedgehog. Can you find some sticks for his spines? There are some wood slices to make an owl. We can use a hammer and some nails to attach his body parts.

• Mud kitchen - What would you like to make – chocolate mud cakes or leaf soup? What ingredients can you find?

• Climbing – Are you feeling confident enough to balance on the slack line? Or let’s make a seesaw with your friends.

LUNCHTIME You must be ready for a break and some delicious food by now. Let’s wash our hands and find our friends. Grab your backpacks and let’s see what you have brought in for your lunch today! Your Sapling’s teachers will help you with your lunch. Let’s take some time to share our experiences as we join together.

AFTERNOON Now we’re ready for afternoon fun, what will it be?

• A walk around the beautiful grounds. I wonder what flora and fauna we will find today? I wonder what pond life we will find in the pond today?

• Shall we build a shelter? We will need big sticks, tarpaulins, and some rope. This is a good opportunity to try and tie some knots.

• Today is a good day for puddle jumping or flying homemade kites!

END OF THE DAY As our day ends: • Let’s listen and reflect.

• What was your favourite activity today?

• Let’s share a story.

• As we tuck the forest to bed, we can sing our special goodbye song.

You must be ready for bed by now, what with all that fresh air and outdoor fun!

See you tomorrow for more outdoor fun and adventure!

Somerhill Pre-School Sessions Form Nursery (Rising 3’s) and Kindergarten (Rising 4’s) Trinity Term 2022 We are inviting parents to complete this session form for their child for the Trinity term.

Please complete this form and return to your child’s teacher by 10th March, when all forms will be processed. It can be emailed, or a paper copy sent in with your child in their book bag. We will confirm your preferred sessions by 15th March. If you have more than one child, please fill in one form per child.

Child’s Name Current Class Please tick preferred sessions

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Trinity Term Session Request.

Pre-School R3/R4 Morning only 8.30am-12.00pm Session Rate: £32.25 Pre-School R3/R4 Morning, Lunch & Play 8.30am –1.15pm Session Rate: £38.26 Pre-School R3/R4 Full Day 8.30-3.15pm Session Rate: £64.50 Saplings Rising 4s only Kindergarten Full day 8.30-3pm Session Rate: £61.00 Saplings Rising 3s only Morning 8.30-11.00 Session Rate: £27.50 Saplings Rising 3’s only Afternoon 12.30-3pm Session Rate: £27.50 Sapling Rising 3’s only Full day 8.30-3.15 Sapling 2.5 hours/with lunch and classroom time (Saplings could be am or pm) Session Rate: £65.76

*Please note sessions can only be changed termly.

Pre- School have a Woodlands session scheduled for R3’s on a Thursday for 1 hr 9-10am and R4’s on a Wednesday for 2 hours 9-11am.

Session costs: Sign-up for Breakfast Club and After School Care for the Trinity Term will be opened for booking later this term.

If your child is eligible for Early Years Funding this will be calculated by our Accounts team and the correct amount deducted from your invoice. Funding is applicable the term after a child has turned 3 years old. Please tick the box below to confirm that you consent to the information above being used to calculate your invoice for the Lent Term 2022.

Office use only: School have agreed to sessions Alternative sessions have been proposed Session acknowledgement letter and EY Funding Form sent to parents EY Funding Form returned signed Information added to the class registers Accounts Department received information for billing

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