Welcome to Clapton Park. Come and find out what we do in our centre!
Maple Kindergarten Forest School is an outdoor room which offers a unique educational experience. Teaching and learning takes place in the Hackney Marshes on Monday- Thursday during term time only. We currently offer dual placements for those children who are in Reception and attend school. They are given the opportunity to attend school 3 days a week and to attend our Forest School for the remaining days.
Our children spend all day outside instead of inside a room from Monday- Tuesday between 9:30am and 4.00pm (Pre-school children) and Wednesday-Thursday between 9.30 and 4.00pm (Reception children) . It gives them a chance to learn in an outdoor space during different seasons and weather climates.
There is a two week timetable. In week one the children go on a Forest School Trek to explore diverse natural spaces,. This is known as Bee Week. In week two the children spend time at their designated site which is known as Hedgehog Week. The children also spend time at the centre, indoors to do arts and craft work which are presented in their special books.
Maple Kindergarten Forest School offers a child-centred learning environment that provides opportunities for holistic growth. Our staff support children to develop their confidence and self-esteem through hands-on experiences in the natural environment.
Our children are given the freedom, time and space to learn and demonstrate independence which in turn builds on their confidence. They gain increased awareness of the consequences of their actions towards peers through participation in team activities and free play. Their sensory experiences help to develop language and vocabulary. Their physical development is supported through activities such as tree climbing to improve their physical stamina and gross and fine motor skills.