• The Education Show
• Level 2 course dates
• Level 3 course dates
• Residential course dates
• One day course date
• New book on Forest School
• 

We are exhibiting at this year’s Education Show at the NEC 15-17 March – visit us at stand H96. We are thrilled that our sensory swing is a finalist for the 2012 Education Resource Award – the winner will be announced at the show!

Level 2 course dates:

Ashton under Lyne starting 17 April

St Helens starting 19 April

Bournemouth starting 21 April

Level 3 course dates:

Warrington  24-27 April

Ashton under Lyne 8-11 October

Bournemouth – date to be confirmed

Residential study courses inDenmark:

20-24 May

10-14 June

One day course:

St Helens 18 April

Jane has a new book published by Routledge ‘Understanding the Danish Forest School Approach’

For further information about any of the above please contact Jane at info@insideoutnature.com

 Inside-Out nature is the leading training body providing accredited courses for early year’s practitioners to develop their own practice outdoors and in their own setting, whatever outdoor environment they have.

The courses:

• Aim to give high quality training and use a Scandinavian pedagogy as the core philosophy.
• Have a strong theoretical base and use practical activities, group work and problem solving exercises to enable participants to reflect upon, and develop, their own practice.
• Are designed to suit practitioners own level of experience in the outdoors and it may be possible for those with a wide experience to start at a higher level.
• Are tried and tested and have proved to give participants the skills to understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of children’s learning and development – and not just the ‘what’ to do.

Our 2012 programme is being planned at the moment, and we hope to offer Outdoor Practitioner/Danish Forest School training in various venues.

If you would like to find out more about these venues and dates please contact us.

If you would like training in other areas please contact us.

”Inside-Out Nature training has proved to be an inspiration to practitioners at all levels. The effective balance of theory and practical (outdoors in all weathers!) has resulted in unprecedented levels of understanding and development of excellent outdoor practice, from which our children are now reaping the benefit’.

Jean Lane, EYFS Development Team Leader,BournemouthBorough Council

“I feel that Inside Out Nature ‘Outdoor Practitioner’ courses have had a very positive effect on the outdoor practice of the participants. Over the last twelve months I have visited many of the settings who attended the two day courses last year and I have seen a marked improvement in the attitudes and practice of the participants and their colleagues. This year Inside Out Nature introduced the Level 2 and 3 courses as well, and the Level 2 course was attended by those who took part in last years and again the feedback has been all positive.”  Lesley Donohue, Early Years Consultant. Liverpool City Council

Understanding the Learning Environment in Educational Settings.

 This course covers the theory and practice of providing a positive learning environment in early year’s settings and the vital role that play has in children’s learning and their physical, social, emotional, intellectual and language development. Each outdoor environment is unique to each setting and it is important to understand not only the ‘what’ to do outdoors, but also the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of the learning processes.

The course includes:

• Gaining an understanding that every child’s learning journey takes a personal path based on their own individual interests and experiences
• Recognising that all areas of learning and development are connected and all are equally important
• Analysing their own outdoor area together with colleagues, children and parents and finding ways of improving the area so that children have a rich outdoor learning resource

Duration – 2 days direct teaching and 20 hours of supported self-study spread over approximately six months.

Assessment – will be ongoing throughout the course period and will include the candidates carrying out a number of practical activities in their own settings and the submission of a practice file upon completion of the course.

Cost – £275 per candidate.

 Supporting Learning in the Outdoors in Educational Settings.

 This course covers the pedagogy, theory and practice, of promoting and supporting children’s all round development in the outdoors and an understanding of:

• The importance of creativity and imagination for the development of the child
• The role of the adult in supporting children’s learning and development
• The complex relationships between child development and how they learn
• Recognising the need to plan to provide appropriate, realistic experiences that build on children’s interests
• Providing a secure but challenging environment so that children can take risks and make mistakes
• Extending and developing children’s language and communication in their play

Duration – 2½ days direct teaching and 25 hours of supported self-study spread over approximately six months.

Assessment – will be ongoing throughout the course period and will include the candidates planning a number of activities and designing and making a practical resource to support children’s learning outdoors. Candidates will also submit a practice file upon completion of the course.

Cost – £350 per candidate.

Forest School/Outdoor Practitioner  Level 3 

This course is aimed at those who have experience of Forest School and outdoor learning and wish to develop their knowledge and practice to enable them to manage and lead Forest School sessions with children, young people and adults. The course covers:

•  The pedagogy, theory and practice of promoting and supporting children’s all round development in the outdoors.

• Providing a secure yet challenging environment so that children can take risks and challenges.

• Risk assessment and Health and Safety regulations.

• The role of the adult in supporting children’s learning and development outdoors.

• Leading outdoor learning – what visions and values should a leader have?

• Development planning and how planning can bring about improvement.

• Assessment and evaluation, including observation to improve practice.

• Developing a Health and Safety kit.

• Developing a handbook and policies for Forest School.

• An understanding of providing differentiation for children with particular needs.

• Recognising and countering ways in which gender and other forms of stereotyping can affect children’s participation in activities outdoors.

• Demonstrating a knowledge and understanding of how the outdoor environment encourages independence, self reliance and self esteem and promotes healthy, balanced social and emotional growth.

The course is both theory and practice based and a number of outdoor activities are included.

Course duration:

 Initial 4 consecutive days of training, followed by supported self study and tasks to be carried out over a period of approximately 6 months. At the end of that time there will be one assessment day when all candidates will present their work.

Requirements:

Before running actual Forest School sessions in their own setting they are required to hold a First Aid for Forest School qualification and a clean CRB reference.

Course costs:

£750 per person inclusive of training, assessment and accredited certification.

Assessment day: To be arranged with tutor.

20 – 24 May

10 – 14 June

Other dates by agreement

 The Scandinavian tradition of using nature and the outdoor environment as a learning resource and not simply as a place for children to ‘let off steam’ has become an important aspect of pedagogy in Denmark – where the majority of kindergartens and early year’s settings use the outdoor environment all year round.

 Over the past decade there has been a growing international interest in using the outdoor environment with children and young people as a way of developing skills and increasing motivation for learning. Recent research studies illustrate that using the outdoors as a learning resource is highly beneficial for physical, mental, social and emotional development in children, young people and adults.

 Each outdoor environment is unique to each setting and a pedagogical knowledge is essential to understanding not only the ‘what’ to do, but also the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of the learning processes – it is through pedagogy that a sustainable and truly developmental way of practice emerges.

 Where: The courses are based in and around Viborg, in the north western part of the Jutland peninsula. For international participants there is also the possibility of combining a study tour to the UK to visit Forest Schools there.

 Who we are:Inside-Out nature aims to give the necessary pedagogical knowledge to develop educators own practice in their own setting.

The consultancy, training and services we provide are backed with theoretical and practical knowledge and give each participant the competence and confidence to use the outdoor environment as a learning resource with children, young people and adults.

Inside-Out Nature is an established and well recommended organisation offering early years practitioners from the UK (and beyond) training on the Scandinavian approach to early years care and education. We have been holding residential study courses in Denmark for the past ten years, hosting participants from the UK, Portugal, Australia, USA and Canada. The organisation is run by Jane Williams-Siegfredsen who was formerly lecturer in education at Bridgwater College and was one of the team who visited Denmark and took back the idea to start Forest School in the UK. Jane has written about children and nature and early years pedagogy, and has a new book due out at the end of 2011 by Routledge, titled Understanding the Danish Forest School Approach.

 The course: The course is accredited by OCN (Open College Network), and participants, upon completion and submission of a reflective account of their visit, will receive recognised certification. This can also be used in part fulfilment our OCN Level 3 Danish Forest School Leader qualification.

The study course aims to give participants an understanding of:

• The pedagogical theories underpinning Scandinavian practice.
• The use of the outdoor environment in the learning processes and early year’s curriculum.
• Design and function of the indoor and outdoor environments.
• Visits and observations; the visits will be to different kinds of mainstream and special kindergartens that illustrate a diversity of outdoor provision.
• Seminar, discussions and documentation.

 Draft Programme

 On the first day participants will be met at an agreed local airport and taken to the motel, where they will have a sandwich lunch and time to relax before going on a guided tour of Viborg, followed by an evening meal at one of Viborg’s restaurants. During the meal we will have chance to get to know each other and share practice. The programme consists of visits to settings covering a range of preschool and after school care provision and will enable participants to discuss methods and philosophies with leaders and pedagogues. There will be a seminar and discussions covering the pedagogical theories, practice and culture of using the outdoors as an integrated part of the child’s learning environment. It is also hoped to be able to include a visit to ReMida creative recycling centre, part of the joint project of the principality of Reggio Emilia in Italy. ReMida is a cultural project that represents a new, optimistic and proactive way of approaching environmentalism and building change through giving value to reject and scrap materials to foster new opportunities for communication and creativity.

 Course fee: £760

 + MOMS (Danish VAT) @ 25%          

(If you have a European VAT registration number you do not have to pay Danish MOMS)

Included in fee:

• Course fee, seminars, discussions and guided visits
• Open College Network registration
• Accommodation in a motel in twin on-suite rooms (single occupancy supplement available)
• Breakfast and packed lunches for the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
• Evening meal on the Sunday and barbeque on the Monday evenings
• A guided culture tour of Viborg
• Transport to and from to and from institution visits and motel

Not included:

• Travel to and from Denmark, evening meal on the Tuesday and Wednesday, out of pocket expenses and personal insurance
• Travel to and from local airports is available, prices vary depending upon how many passengers and which airport used

 What participants have said about the course:

 “This has been a ‘life changing’ experience. I have learnt so much more than I ever imagined I would. I have been truly inspired” Residential course participant.

 “Great to see a range of provision. It was most helpful to talk to leaders and see the children too” Residential course participant.

 ‘Inside-Out Nature training has proved to be an inspiration to practitioners at all levels. The effective balance of theory and practical (outdoors in all weathers!) has resulted in unprecedented levels of understanding and development of excellent outdoor practice, from which our children are now reaping the benefit’.

Jean Lane, EYFS Development Team Leader, Bournemouth Borough Council.

 ‘I will make the most of everything I have gained from this trip. It has helped me develop my vision and understand what I need to do back at home.’  Residential course participant.

Inside-Out Nature’s CPD courses cover a range of topics and special areas of interest and they are all backed with a strong pedagogical foundation. We believe that learning should be fun (research shows that we are more motivated to learn and remember when we are happy); all the courses combine theory, practical activities, group work and problem solving exercises to enable participants to experience first hand outdoor activities and materials.

 Our 2012 programme is being planned at the moment, and we hope to offer CPD course training in various venues in theUK.

 If you would like to find out more about these venues and dates please contact us.

If you would like training in other areas please contact us.

• Attitudes to risk
• Making risk-benefit assessments
• Practical activities, group work and problem solving
• Making a play policy that integrates risk management

• Health and safety
• Parental attitudes
• Staff training
• Funding and resources.