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About Us
Gilderdale.
​Gilderdale is a family run setting, in a beautiful environment in Cumbria. We are a friendly, caring and safe place for your child in which they are at the center of their own learning. At Gilderdale we believe that every child has a voice and a uniqueness that should be celebrated. We highlight this through teachable moments and by finding out their interests through careful observation and by following 'in the moment' planning.We encourage every individual to express themselves and give them the best opportunity to reach their full potential in every area of learning.Children at Gilderdale are given the freedom to explore, create and learn in their own way with the help of highly trained staff to enhance and extend every moment; allowing the children to manage risks, be independent learners and investigate. And most importantly champion their own learning.​Gilderdale is a unique setting providing childcare for children and babies aged 6 months to 5 years. Ran by highly experienced and enthusiastic staff, who have a passion for early years and outdoor learning.The setting will operate Monday- Friday from 8.00 - 6:00 for 49 weeks of the year, closing for bank holidays, 2 weeks over Christmas and one week for maintenance in the summer.We aim for the children attending to spend at least 60% of their days outdoors with the freedom to take the lead on their own learning, take risks, be independent and build resilience.
Our approach.
At Gilderdale we gain inspiration from a range of approaches and ideas from theorists and research.
Reggio Emilia has had a big influence on how we deliver our teaching to the children. Within this, it also recognises the importance of the environment and how this has a big impact on their development, well-being and learning.
giving the children the chance to learn through unique opportunities and explore no matter what the weather!
We focus on following the ethos surrounding forest school practice, Becca is our trained staff member, as a level 3 practitioner. We also like to create a sense of hygge throughout our setting, and hope to complete the accreditation in the future.
Our Ethos.
Our ethos and approach for this setting focuses on the children, treating them as leaders of their own learning. It will follow a forest school ethos approach, where the children are always at the heart of what we do.We rely mostly on outdoor experiences and play, developing risk taking, resilience, confidence and self-esteem.
Through authentic and natural experiences the children will have the freedom to explore and investigate using open ended resources that spark creativity and imagination. The nursery will provide as many opportunities as possible, through rich, inviting and homely environments.
most importantly, we will provide a safe space fore children where they feel at ease comfortable and loved. At Gilderdale nursery the children will take part in a range of exciting and challenges activities, set up by skilled practitioners that know each child individually. We follow a hands on approach where the children will take part in lots of real-life experiences and lots of physical play. We strive to ensure that every child reaches their full potential during their time here, allowing them to develop in their own time across all of the areas of learning and COEL.
Our forest school Ethos.
Forest school is an innovative, educational and imaginative process that offers every learner an exciting opportunity to develop, progress and achieve. Through our forest school sessions, ALL of our children achieve. The holistic approach of forest school has been embedded into our practice, developing children’s social and emotional skills as well as encouraging freedom and positive well-being.
Within Forest school at Gilderdale Nursery the children engage in a wide range of activities through a ‘hands on’ approach, in a very special and unique environment. They learn new skills by using tools, building dens and exploring the natural world around them. Creating lots of risk takers and independent children.
The forest school way allows ALL of our children to develop self-confidence, self-esteem and become independent because of the exciting, challenging and inspirational woodland experiences. The children develop respect, care and concern for nature through the opportunities given and their own self-exploration.
Forest school gives children the freedom to take risks, challenge themselves, initiate their own learning and take ownership. But most importantly, it provides the children with opportunities to enjoy themselves! Being in the outdoors exposes children to natural elements which supports their development in all areas of learning.