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Hi I’m Ellie Kelly (i married into the name :-).
I am a level 3 Forest School leader and I have over 15 years’ experience working with children. As well as working in a school and at holiday camps I also have experience taking group trips abroad and has run Wonderwoods Sister company Buttons Parties for 7 years.
I started Wonderwood so I could offer the wonder of playing outside surrounded by nature to as many children as possible. It’s the days spent outside climbing trees, getting muddy and making things, that I remember most vividly and fondly from my childhood and the memories I wants to help create for her two year old daughter and other children.
I run the forest school clubs with my amazing mum Jill. She is an ex primary school teacher and head. With my back ground in play and forest school and hers in education, outdoor studies and learning we make quite a dream team. Our Tuesday little explorers club is quite the family affair as my husband Mark also brings Neive our daughters along so we are all in the woods having fun.
Forest School offers an inspirational environment for children to develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a natural environment. At FS I encourage the children to explore with in the set boundaries and take appropriate risks, also understand that each child is an individual and so guided by their interests we ensure we facilitate their continued learning and provide the support and resources they need.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Wonderwood Explorers will have the opportunity to build dens, learn about fire lighting and wild cooking, get creative with woodland crafts, play games, mess around in mud kitchens, jump in puddles, building insect hotels, go on bug hunts, learn about flora and fauna, experience the seasons, collect treasures and play sensory games.
“Wonderwood was started so that Ellie could offer the wonder of playing outside surrounded by nature to as many children as possible.”
Forest School encourages appropriate risks that can lead to muddy faces and scrapped knees. We introduce tool use and fire safety in small groups and individually and at the appropriate time depending on the children’s age and understanding.