FAQs
What happens when the weather is bad?
This is one of the questions we’re most frequently asked! We’re strong Yorkshire folk and a bit of bad weather won’t hurt us. And in fact, it helps kids quite a bit… Part of the Forest School ethos is cultivating resilience by pushing through discomfort. We’re teaching kids that they can do hard things, like staying outside when it’s cold or wet. This helps them develop grit and we think that’s really grand. However, if there's a Met Office weather warning for wind, snow, or ice, we will have to cancel the session for safety. (If we have to cancel we will refund you.) We play out if it's only rain though, and don't worry, your kids will have the most amazing time even when it's chucking it down! They usually love the chance to play in the rain and as we live in the UK, this is worth embracing! If you stay indoors whenever it rains that's a lot of days you're missing out on all those nature benefits! Please ensure that both you and your child are suitably dressed for both the weather and the woods. See next question for what to wear. We also have some tarps so there are dry(er) areas.
What should we wear?
Waterproofs are a good idea all year round, nobody wants a soggy bottom. Wellies or walking boots are always recommended, with two pairs of socks when it's chilly. Layers, a woolly hat, and gloves in colder months. Long sleeved tops with lightweight trousers in warmer months, plus a sun hat if it's sunny. You might also want to pack a spare outfit to travel home. I'd add that as an adult you're often stood still, so wrap up a little warmer unless you plan to jog on the spot for 2 hours! 😅
How much do sessions cost?
Each one-off session costs £12 for the 1st child with one adult. Siblings or another parent/carer are £4 each. Babies in a sling or in your arms are free.
Where do we park?
Our site is gated, I'll open the gate 10 minutes before the sessions begin. As you drive through the gate you'll see one of my signs directing you to turn right to park. Please don't park on the main road. There's plenty of parking but in the unlikely event that all spaces are full, you can park on the driveway - please try not to block anyone in.
Can we get here by public transport?
You absolutely can! We have a bus stop right outside and we've planned our session times (when possible) around the bus times. Want an extra eco-friendly adventure to get here? Hop on the bus! It's very easy from Denby Dale, Skelmanthorpe, Holmfirth, Shepley, Huddersfield, Ingbirchworth, Cawthorne, Clayton West, New Mill, Shelley...you get the picture. We're also only a 7 minute walk from the Sovereign Pub, which is on even more bus routes! There's also a cafe just by the bus stop called Press Coffee Kitchen if you're ever waiting a while. Please check bus times in advance as we are quite rural.
Do you have a toilet?
Yes, right now we have a small camping toilet in a tent. We have a changing mat you can use on the forest floor. Unfortunately our toilet isn't currently wheelchair accessible. We also have this lush sink. 👉 Our toilet will be upgraded soon with an indoor changing table, slowly getting there..
What age children can I bring?
We welcome children age 0-7 years at every session. We don’t separate classes by age and this is for two reasons: 1. It’s great for kids to be around children of different ages. Young ones learn from older kiddos, and the big kids learn to be leaders and helpful towards the littlies. Until recently, humans grew up in villages where they spent every day with younger and older kids. We’re happy to provide a version of that here. ​2. It’s tough when you’ve got multiple kids. There’s something for everyone here — so the older kids won’t be bored and the younger ones won’t be frustrated by too-tough activities. If you have a child older than 7 who wants to join because of a younger sibling, or for any reason, let us know and I'm sure we can accommodate them.​
Can we come for a one-off session? Or do we sign up for a block?
We're going to start with one-off sessions (and these will always be available) then if people are interested we'll add in the option of booking a block, once we get into the swing of things. We're big on community here at Birds Nest and it's lovely to make friends and see familiar faces every week with blocks of sessions.
Is it safe to play in the woods?
We're a lot safer than playing in the woods! As part of our commitment to safety we have full forest school public liability insurance. Our trees are also signed off as safe by a tree surgeon, and we regularly have work done to remove any dead wood. We’re also first-aid certified and have taken steps to avoid the major risks with outdoor play. And we’ve designed the space with safety at the forefront. The Forest School ethos says risk and vulnerability are key to developmental change, which we agree with! But we seek to balance the risk by making our space and activities as safe as possible.
Are you wheelchair and pram friendly?
Hopefully! If you have an all terrain pram or a pram that can cope with some bumpy grass then you'll be completley fine. Remember to use the easy entrance though. For wheelchair users we haven't had anyone test our accessibilty yet, but if you'd like to give us a whirl please send me a message and we can arrange that anytime. The woods are very accessible but the grass is often a little muddy to get to the woods.
Do you do birthday parties?
We do! And they're amazing!
Let me know the details and we can work something out.
Does my child need to be walking to attend Birds Nest?
It’s never too young to reap the benefits of time in nature! We have a baby area for our littlest members. Your child can sit and play under the trees, relax on a cosy blanket, and soak up all the sensations of nature. If they're crawling on the forest floor gloves are great to protect their little hands, and waterproof booties are perfect to keep their feet warm and dry. Oh, and — babes in arms are free!
Will you have proper coffee?
My people. I put this question in because I'm always hopeful places care about great coffee...and they never do! Fear not though, I've got you. It's taken some serious thinking, tinkering, and prep but we've come up with a way to get local freshly roasted coffee (from Bear in Holmfirth) into the woods that's also zero waste! 🎉 We'll be taking cash/card in the woods and if you could bring your own travel cup for extra safety that'd be great, we do have some spare cups if you forget.
