Forest Kindergarten
Forest Kindergarten is a child-centred approach to learning through play.
By offering regular opportunities for play in natural outdoor spaces, the Forest Kindergarten approach provides young children freedom to explore, and delivers numerous benefits to health, wellbeing, confidence, resilience, and nature connection in the early years.
On this page, you will find everything you need to implement Forest Kindergarten at your early years setting. Use the buttons below to jump to a section.
The Forest Kindergarten Leader Course
The Learning through Landscapes Forest Kindergarten Leader Course has been designed to meet the needs of early years practitioners who wish to lead regular visits to local outdoor spaces for learning and play.
The Forest Kindergarten approach is child-led and rights-based, building on early years educators’ existing knowledge and practice. As part of this course, participants will complete the Forest Kindergarten National Workplace Award. The training and qualification covers three main areas:
- Place – finding and preparing a site whilst developing a caring and considerate model of use.
- People – engaging with adults who support and understand the benefits of regular play in natural environments.
- Pedagogy – encouraging exploration, inspiration, and imagination through regular nature connection.
The three day course focuses on building the skills and confidence to lead frequent outdoor learning and play sessions in natural environments and the assessment requires practitioners to put all they have learned into practice, evidencing the impact. This makes it a perfect choice for those wishing to enhance their individual leadership skills or for employers looking to develop their early years workforce and their outdoor provision.
Videos
In partnership with Forestry Scotland and Outdoor and Woodland Learning, we have created a series of videos aimed at supporting the responsible use and management of local spaces used for outdoor learning and play.
Use the video player to watch all of the videos in one easy-to-find playlist, or click the button below to watch more of our videos.
Forest Kindergarten Resources
If you are looking for additional resources to support your Forest Kindergarten sessions, we have a range of activities, videos, and guidance on offer. Browse a selection of our resources below.
A Handful of Sounds
Make a Wood Cookie Spinning Top
A Sound Walk
Naturally Creative Outdoors
Make an Outdoor Musical Stage
The history of Forest Kindergarten in the UK
Feedback from our latest Forest Kindergarten training course
Comparing Forest Kindergarten and Forest School
Out to Play
Forest Kindergarten – Guidance for Landowners
Rope swings, dens, tree houses and fires – Guidance from Forestry Commission
Parents as partners in play
Use of school grounds out of hours / Play out of hours
Upcoming Events
Forest Kindergarten Course (Stirling March 2026)
Forest Kindergarten Course (Glasgow August 2026)