Forest Kindergarten Strategy

Forest Kindergartens are commonplace in Scandinavia where the concept was developed more than 25 years ago.

The idea is that children are encouraged to lead their own play and learning within an outdoor environment on a regular basis.

Studies have shown that such experience is beneficial to children’s health and well being, self esteem, confidence and the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Although there are some Forest Kindergartens in Scotland the coverage is ad hoc and largely dependent on the enthusiasm of individual staff.

The Strategy seeks to investigate what opportunities exist for school and pre-school establishments to access local woodlands or greenspace and understand what level of interest exists in the forest kindergarten scheme.




The Way Forward

The project will pilot and support a selection of Forest Kindergartens initiatives across the Glasgow and Clyde Valley region. This will introduce children to the Green Network at a very early age and foster a positive relationship with the outdoors at a local level.

Positive and visible use of woodlands and greenspace for Forest Kindergartens is likely to bring about a greater sense of ownership of the Green Network and this should encourage its wider use by all in the community.

The aim is for the pilot projects to create practical examples of Forest Kindergartens in action leading to a programme rolling out the approach across the GCV.

In 2009 the Forestry Commission Scotland created the post of Forest Kindergarten Officer to lead on the promotion and piloting of Forest Kindergartens.