Making Connections
This last fortnight has been all about connecting with people and building our future nursery community. In addition to meeting lots of lovely families at our nursery open weekend we have been working with local volunteers on site development and chatting with representatives from Forward Coupar Angus about possible partnerships with local food growing, cooking, family support and youth projects. We're really keen to hear from anyone in the local area with an interest our our project and discuss how we can support one another; please do get in touch!
Parent/carer Survey
We have created a survey for all parents/carers considering Wild Sparks as an option for their family. If this is you please do follow the link below to complete the survey and help us build a picture of what families want and need from us. We want to hear from anyone interested in the nursery, even if you're not sure it is for you, or your little one is still very young:
click here for the survey
Meet the team
For those of you we have not yet met personally we have put together a short introduction about the two core staff leading this venture, please read on to 'meet the team'
Parent/carer Survey
We have created a survey for all parents/carers considering Wild Sparks as an option for their family. If this is you please do follow the link below to complete the survey and help us build a picture of what families want and need from us. We want to hear from anyone interested in the nursery, even if you're not sure it is for you, or your little one is still very young:
click here for the survey
Meet the team
For those of you we have not yet met personally we have put together a short introduction about the two core staff leading this venture, please read on to 'meet the team'
Jo Andrews
In 2010 I took the opportunity offered by motherhood to move my career outdoors; I took a career break and trained in Forest School Leadership. As part of the process I reflected on my own childhood, the huge amount of time I spent immersed in nature, and how formative this was for me. Now I’m a mum of three wee boys, and am inspired on a daily basis by the way they thrive outdoors, exploring, experimenting, and learning about nature and themselves. I want this for all children!
The feedback I received while running an outdoor toddler group locally, and taking my primary classes outside to enrich aspects of the curriculum, confirmed for me that other parents feel similarly passionate about the benefits of playing and learning in nature, and that many would love to have the choice of outdoor pre-school provision for their children, which at present does not exist in Eastern Perthshire or Angus.
I have specialised in Early Years, ASN and Literacy as a class teacher and in advisory roles since I began teaching in 2000, and through working at the Wild Sparks play scheme I have enjoyed developing my outdoor skills, learning from the diverse abilities of my Wild Sparks colleagues (identifying a badger latrine is not something featured in teacher training!. The nursery project allows me to return to my first love, Early Years practice, merging it with my passion for being outdoors, supporting children’s learning in an inspiring outdoor environment, and continuing my own.
The feedback I received while running an outdoor toddler group locally, and taking my primary classes outside to enrich aspects of the curriculum, confirmed for me that other parents feel similarly passionate about the benefits of playing and learning in nature, and that many would love to have the choice of outdoor pre-school provision for their children, which at present does not exist in Eastern Perthshire or Angus.
I have specialised in Early Years, ASN and Literacy as a class teacher and in advisory roles since I began teaching in 2000, and through working at the Wild Sparks play scheme I have enjoyed developing my outdoor skills, learning from the diverse abilities of my Wild Sparks colleagues (identifying a badger latrine is not something featured in teacher training!. The nursery project allows me to return to my first love, Early Years practice, merging it with my passion for being outdoors, supporting children’s learning in an inspiring outdoor environment, and continuing my own.
Alice Warren
As the founder of Wild Sparks I have been working on the development of the nursery, with a focus on putting together a business plan and thinking through all the nuts and bolts of how things will operate. I have a background in playwork and forest schools and am most comfortable out in the woods getting stuck in alongside the children, as a parent I am also really excited about my daughter Nancy being able to attend once she turns 3 in 2018! I have recently been studying towards a Childhood Practice BA to add to the skills and qualifications of the team, and this is proving invaluable in helping me join up theory and practice and providing guidance on service management and leadership. I will be taking a supporting role in the nursery, alongside Jo, whilst I continue to lead on Wild Sparks holiday playschemes which take place in Alyth and Dunkeld.
Planning the site
As part of our open weekend activities families have been involved in map-making exercises to help us plan the site. The common themes emerging were approval of our yurt and compost toilet idea, plus the need for extra shelters throughout the woods. Growing spaces, animal hides and an outdoor 'field kitchen' were also popular ideas we're now exploring more fully. We imagine the site will evolve over time as children's needs and interests emerge and we learn to respond to the changing seasons, if you have any ideas or thoughts about what the site should include please do share your ideas with us.
Planning the site
As part of our open weekend activities families have been involved in map-making exercises to help us plan the site. The common themes emerging were approval of our yurt and compost toilet idea, plus the need for extra shelters throughout the woods. Growing spaces, animal hides and an outdoor 'field kitchen' were also popular ideas we're now exploring more fully. We imagine the site will evolve over time as children's needs and interests emerge and we learn to respond to the changing seasons, if you have any ideas or thoughts about what the site should include please do share your ideas with us.
Dates for your diary...
July open day
We will next be on site to welcome families on Saturday 16th July. More details on this will follow shortly, If you cant make this date but want to meet us and see the site please get in touch to discuss alternative arrangements
January opening
We anticipate comfortably meeting a January start date, please do get in touch if you are thinking about enrolling so we can add you to our growing list!
Thanks and best wishes,
Alice and Jo!
July open day
We will next be on site to welcome families on Saturday 16th July. More details on this will follow shortly, If you cant make this date but want to meet us and see the site please get in touch to discuss alternative arrangements
January opening
We anticipate comfortably meeting a January start date, please do get in touch if you are thinking about enrolling so we can add you to our growing list!
Thanks and best wishes,
Alice and Jo!
