Forest School

Give your child the very best start in life

Visit Fairthorne Forest School

Where nature ignites learning and adventure!

Are you ready for a pre-school experience like no other?

Step into a world of enchantment and exploration. Set just outside of Botley, Southampton we YMCA Forest School, is available 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday for ages 3-4. Nestled within the gorgeous woodlands of Fairthorne Manor. We invite you and your child to embark on an extraordinary journey where nature becomes the classroom and every day is filled with outdoor learning.

Call us: 01489 772 222
Email: [email protected]

Supported Risk Taking

Our Forest school provide a safe and supportive environment for children to learn risk-taking. This fosters resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills, empowering them to explore, experiment, and develop a deeper connection with nature while ensuring their safety and emotional well-being.

Where Nature Meets Excellence

Our purpose-made facilities in the woodland are designed to support a wide range of developmental activities, as well as a place to enjoy a warm drink, snack, or just for a snuggly nap. Our facilities provide an engaging environment for children to explore, fostering physical, cognitive, and emotional growth through hands-on learning and nature-based experiences.

Learning through discovery

Our woodland setting nurtures curiosity, creativity, and independence in children. This hands-on approach encourages them to explore and engage with their natural surroundings, enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills while fostering a lifelong love of learning.

Ignite their curiosity

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Meet the Team

Nalisha

Forest School Lead Practitioner

Nalisha is Fairthorne's Forest School Lead Practitioner. With 15 years of early years experience, including 10 years at YMCA, she's passionate about nature and the great outdoors and has a keen professional interest in child development. Trained by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wild life trust with a Forest School Diploma. She aims to help inspire a generation of young nature enthusiasts. She is a mum to two teenage children and she has two pet rabbits. Her favourite colours are yellow and green and she enjoys wild swimming and has a musical heart and a love for live music!
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Danny

Forest School Team Member

Hailing from Kent, Danny brings a world of knowledge and adventure to the Forest School team. Armed with a degree in 'Tropical Environmental Sciences,' she embarked on an incredible journey that spanned 8 years across the vast continent of Africa. Her exploits ranged from conservation work to exploring the world of zoology, and she even took on the role of a Safari guide, immersing herself in the wild beauty of the African wilderness. While in Africa, she had the privilege of working at both a Jane Goodall Chimpanzee sanctuary and a Meerkat sanctuary. And here's a mind-blowing fact: Sir David Attenborough himself spent a week at the Meerkat sanctuary, where a daring Meerkat climbed from Danny's head onto his! Her adventures didn't stop there. For 7 years, she served as a dedicated Forest Ranger in the enchanting New Forest, preserving its natural wonders. Inspired by her love for nature, she trained as a Forest School leader and began nurturing young minds at Farley Mount's Forest School before joining the Fairthorne Manor Forest School team. Danny's favourite colour is a reflection of her deep connection with the outdoors—green.

Leanne

Forest School Team Member

Leanne is no stranger to adventure, spending her winters in the majestic Alps and her summers basking in the Mediterranean, running camps and kids' clubs that create unforgettable memories. For an astounding 13 years, she served as a dedicated full-time Nanny to a wonderful family, bringing her nurturing spirit into their home every day. Her dedication to education led her to become Early Years Qualified, and she holds a Level 2 certification in Forest School, with plans to achieve Level 3 next year. But Leanne's adventures don't stop there—she's explored the depths of the Amazon rainforest, contributing to conservation efforts. Travel is her ultimate passion, and she's always seeking new horizons. At home, she shares her space with two cherished feline companions, and her heart is captivated by the delightful world of ladybirds. Her favourite colours are a reflection of her vibrant personality—green and purple.

YMCA Forest School - Fairthorne Manor

My child has just finished her last year at pre school at the wonder fairthorne manor forest school. She enjoyed the experience so much and we are so sad it is over. She learnt alot and was able to be her wild and free self and I am forever thankful to the lovely staff there. The staff are knowledgeable, caring and fun and we wish she could have carried on for many more years there. We are already counting down the days until my youngest child can join. Thank you for everything, it has been amazing and I am so glad my daughter got to experience it.
Hannah, 2024

YMCA Forest School - Fairthorne Manor

We have just completed the year at Forest School and are so sad to leave.
I’m always amazed at the things my daughter does- her fire safety is better than mine, she is confident with tools and she has the best time exploring the setting. From “forest school facepaints” (the mud she draws on) to roasting marshmallows on the fire she has had an incredible experience. We’ll miss you, and the children of next year will have loads of fun to look forward to. Well done on what you’ve built!
Natalie, 2024

YMCA Forest School - Fairthorne Manor

This isn’t just your typical ‘childcare’—it’s truly an education. She comes home daily, teaching us things about wildlife we never knew, and has developed a genuine curiosity about understanding the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of the world around her—skills fostered by the team’s expertise. Since joining, she has thrived in so many ways—her confidence and resilience, to name a few. The team is not only warm, kind, and caring, but also incredibly knowledgeable.

Jacqueline, 2024
Tel: 01489 772 222

Perfect Location

Find us at YMCA Fairthorne Manor, Curdridge, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GH, which is just 1 mile outside of Botley.

Enquire today

Call: 01489 772 222
Contact: [email protected]

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    FAQs

    We have 6 core values at forest school. Qualified Leaders:
    The forest school leaders are passionate about childrens development. With decades of experience between them, they are able to be reflective and reactive to your childrens needs. Nature Setting: 
    Forest school provides nature-based learning within the 96 acres of YMCA Fairthorne, which is accessible for the built-for-purpose forest school. Holistic Development: 
    Focuses on developing all areas of learning including emotional intelligence, communication, physical, and cognitive. Supported Risk Taking:
    High risk activities are provided under close supervision by qualified practitioners such as tool use, fire lighting, and climbing.
    Child Led: 
    The children's interests are followed to expand their learning experience, and allow them to have a sense of leadership. Long Term: 
    Providing a minimum of 6 weekly sessions, to enable the children to observe the changing environment. To help them learn boundaries and expectations to become part of the forest school community.
     
    We support wrap-around care, as additional 30 min slots are available to support parents 8.30-9am & 4.00-4.30pm Our standard sessions run Monday to Friday from 9am – 4pm, term time only.    
    Please view our sessions and fees here.
    YMCA Forest School is available for children ages 3-5.
    We pride ourselves on our team, our facilities and the experiences we create for your children. We do this by providing the following Qualified Leaders - A team that is reflective and reactive to your children's needs. Natural Settings -  We provide nature-based learning, in our built-for-purpose Forest School, set with 96 acres of the Fairthorne Estate. Holistic Development - We focus on developing all areas of learning including emotional intelligence, communication, physical and cognitive. Supported Risk taking - High-risk activities (such as tool use, fire lighting & climbing) are provided under close supervision by qualified practitioners. Child Led - We follow the children's personal interests to expand their learning experience. Long-term - Providing a minimum of 6 weekly sessions which enables the children to observe the changing environment. To help learn boundaries, and expectations and to become part of the Forest School community.
    Being outdoors helps focus on the following key areas for children's development: Communication skills, Self-esteem, Community building, Social skills, Resilience, Confidence, Wellbeing, Independence
    Please name all your child's items: • Long Sleeve Top • Full leg trouser (no shorts due to ticks) • Socks • Closed shoes/Boots • Wellies • Waterproofs • Layers for warmth • Spare clothes, underwear, socks, pants • Sun Hat • Suncream • Water Bottle • Woolly hat • Scarf/Snood • Gloves • Backpack • Lunchbox (with cool pack)
    You can book by the half-term to attend Forest School - please contact the Nursery on 01489 772 222 to arrange this.
    All children are free to explore with water and mud and will get dirty during their session. So please dress for mess and send in a spare outfit to change into after. Don’t forget fresh socks and underwear! • During hot weather please bring an additional water bottle, sun hat, and apply sun cream before their session. We will top up throughout, when required. • In the colder months we ask that your child is dressed in lots of layers and have warm boots, hats, scarves/snoods, and gloves. • Waterproofs and boots are an essential piece of kit for Forest School, these can be left on site for those unexpected showers. • We have some spare clothes, boots, and extras available for use but cannot guarantee that we will have the correct size for your child. Please remember to label all bags, clothing items and bottles with your child’s name or initials to reduce the chance of items getting lost or sent home with the wrong person. Thank You.
    Please send your child with a packed lunch for a full-day session at Forest School - you can add a lunch session (1 hour) to a morning or afternoon booking.