At Splash, we believe that spending time outdoors is an important part of children's learning and development. Our Forest School program encourages children to explore nature, build confidence, develop problem-solving skills, and foster a lifelong appreciation for the environment through hands-on outdoor experiences.

The health and safety of our children is always our top priority. To ensure a safe outdoor learning environment, Splash monitors the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) daily using the Environment Canada Weather App. If the AQHI is above 8, Forest School will be cancelled. If the AQHI reaches 8 or higher while children are already at Forest School, programming will transition to calmer, low-activity experiences, and buses will be arranged for an early pick-up. When the AQHI is 6 or 7, educators will monitor conditions closely and may shorten the Forest School day if needed. For children with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, medications are kept readily accessible, and educators will follow each child's care plan if support is required. All decisions regarding outdoor programming are made with the health, safety, and well-being of the children in mind.

The Outdoors is a Natural Teacher, What is Forest School?

Forest School is an educational approach that builds resilience and knowledge of the natural world in children through nature exploration no matter the weather. 

Forest School uses hands-on nature experiences to support an emergent curriculum which is, in part, derived from the daily and seasonal changes observed in nature. The children and their curiosity are the driving force behind the direction and outcomes of each day, with a flexible daily routine that includes a snack break, nature hikes, time for unstructured nature exploration, and two group gathering times where we discuss plants, animals, and nature. 

(Information from: https://www.fortwhyte.org/families/forest-school/)