Nature Nurture Project
Early Years/Early Intervention
Purpose
The Nature Nurture Project, an initiative of Camphill School Aberdeen, offers early intervention to children who may be experiencing difficulties at home, at school or in the community.
Children are offered outdoor play and learning opportunities that have been shown to develop resilience.
Groups of up to 10 children have 1 ½ hour sessions once a week with a high staff child ratio that ensures every child has the support they need to play freely and safely.
Location
The project is based on the Murtle Campus, which is part of Camphill School Aberdeen, and is located on the outskirts of Aberdeen.
Services
- Opportunities for staff from Family Centre, Nursery or School to join sessions.
- Opportunities for parents to join sessions.
- Transport to and from School, Nursery or Family Centre by local minibus hire service.
- Outdoor clothing and footwear provided.
- 2:1 child/staff ratio.
- Continuous Professional Development sessions for staff from Family Centre, Nursery or School.
- Detailed developmental observations of children recorded after each session.
- Full evaluation and report on group at the end of the block of 10 sessions.
Principles and Values
The Project is closely aligned to the principles and values of Getting It Right For Every Child, The Curriculum for Excellence, the Early Years Framework, Waldorf Education and Social Pedagogical approaches.
We uphold these principles and values by:
- Providing effective early intervention.
- Promoting the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of each child.
- Putting the child at the centre of all we do.
- Building on the child′s strengths.
- Promoting resilience.
- Celebrating success and building self-esteem.
- Working in partnership with families and professionals.
- Promoting experiential learning, problem solving and collaboration.
- Giving children learning opportunities that are challenging, fun, motivating and engaging.
- Responding to each child′s learning style and needs.
Aims
- To promote understanding and appreciation of the natural world.
- To develop the child′s social skills through collaborative play and learning.
- To develop the child′s self-esteem and confidence through allowing time and space to ‘have a go’ and to persevere.
- To give positive learning experiences and to celebrate success and achievement.
- To support natural developmental stages by allowing children to learn at their own pace.
- To facilitate the development of self risk assessment and problem solving skills in each child by giving them the time, space and encouragement to explore, investigate and experiment safely.
- To promote the development of fitness and stamina by giving each child the opportunity to challenge their physical skills and motor co-ordination.
- To help each child integrate their sensory experiences through encouraging exploration of the natural environment.
Staff
Terri Harrison - Teacher
Daniel Harrison - Behaviour Support Strategist
Kahren Ehlen - Play Therapist
Facilities
Each session begins in Amber Kindergarten in Murtle, a beautiful purpose built building with a garden designed to encourage play and exploration of the natural world.
A short walk away, across Murtle, is a woodland area specifically developed for Nature Nurture, with natural play opportunities and sensory equipment nestled in the undulating wooded area. The woodland is maintained to high health and safety standards.
The Project also makes use of other facilities on the Campus including a livestock farm with cows and sheep, riding stables, large open grassy areas, a stream with bridges, playgrounds built out of natural resources and craft workshops.
The Campus boasts beautiful outlooks across the Dee Valley and is safely enclosed with limited access to the riverside and North Deeside Road.
More information
For more information please contact Daniel Harrison:
Camphill School
Murtle Estate
Bieldside
Aberdeen
AB15 9EP
Tel: 01224 868963
Fax: 01224 868420
Email: d.harrison (at) crss dot org dot uk
This Camphill inspired initiative is run in partnership with Aberdeen City.