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Why forest school
How time outdoors helps young children grow
What children gain from muddy hands, fresh air and small, well-judged risks.
Read more →Forest School · Preschool Stay and Play · Home Education
Where the outdoors inspires change
Forest school where children explore, discover and grow, led by a curiosity that changes with every season.
Now booking interest
Preschool Stay and Play
For young children, with their grown-up alongside.
Coming soon
Home Education
Forest school for home-educated children.
Our Story
Rooted in nature, led by two teachers who believe in it
Changing Leaf is led by Hannah and Maxine, qualified primary teachers and Level 3 Forest School Leaders who have already delivered forest school together.
Just as the leaves change with the seasons, children are always growing and changing too. We follow their interests and build on their skills week by week, so each child can explore, take on new challenges and grow in confidence at their own pace.
Meet the team
H
Hannah
Qualified primary teacher and Level 3 Forest School Leader with over 19 years' experience in education, leadership and mental health support. A former Phase Leader and Head of Science, Hannah brings a caring, wellbeing-first approach to every session, shaped by her work in mental health.
M
Maxine
Qualified primary teacher and Level 3 Forest School Leader with over 26 years' experience in primary and early years education. Maxine founded and ran three successful early years settings, rated two Outstanding and one Good by Ofsted, with forest school at the heart of their curriculum.
Both are trained Designated Safeguarding Leads and paediatric first aiders, and are studying for a degree in Outdoor and Adventure Therapy.
Look a little closer
Nature is all around us
Even the smallest green space can spark curiosity and wonder.
In our sessions, children gain the skills and confidence to notice, question and explore the natural world. They take that knowledge with them, so every trip to the park, walk to the shops or time in the garden becomes a chance to discover something new.
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Noticing
Spotting changes in plants, weather and the seasons.
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Identifying
Recognising common trees, birds and minibeasts.
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Asking questions
Wondering why, and finding out together.
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Caring for nature
Knowing how to look after the wildlife they find.
Forest School Sessions
Learning, growing and noticing change
Every session is play-led and hands-on. We follow the children's interests and build on their skills week by week, giving them the freedom to explore, take well-judged risks and try things for themselves.
Starting after October half term
Preschool Stay and Play
Relaxed, play-led sessions for young children, with their parent or carer alongside. You share each discovery together and take ideas home to carry on exploring.
Coming soon
Home Education
Longer forest school sessions for home-educated children, building skills, confidence and friendships outdoors. Register your interest and we'll let you know when bookings open.
- Small groups, so every child gets time and attention.
- Risk balanced with benefit, so children build confidence through manageable challenges.
- Inclusive by design. Activities are adapted so every child can take part.
- Stories at the heart, sparking imagination and helping children make sense of what they discover.
🥣 Mud kitchen
🏕️ Den building
🐛 Bug hunts
🍂 Natural crafts
🪢 Knots and shelters
🔍 Nature detectives
🎶 Songs and stories
What to expect
No two sessions are the same
Each session is shaped by the children's interests and the changing seasons. A familiar rhythm helps everyone feel settled.
- Welcome
Gather together
We say hello and remind ourselves how to stay safe. Sometimes a story sparks the children's curiosity for the session ahead.
- Explore
Follow curiosity
Children lead the way, with our support to try new skills and build on what they learned last time.
- Reflect
Share and notice
We come back together to share what we found and the changes we noticed, sometimes creating stories of our own.
The Changing Leaf Principles
What we believe
- Every child is unique and valued
- Positive relationships create positive outcomes
- Nature provides powerful opportunities for learning and growth
- Play is essential to development
- Safe risk builds confidence and resilience
- Everyone deserves to feel included and respected
- Wellbeing comes before achievement
- We care for nature and leave no trace
- Learning is a journey, not a destination
Session Pricing
Simple, honest pricing
Preschool Stay and Play
£10
per child, per session
Reduced session price for block bookings.
Parents and carers join free.
Home Education
Coming soon
Prices will be shared when bookings open.
Register your interest to hear first.
🌿 Free taster session before you book
All equipment included · Payment made simple: book and pay online
Book your place →Getting ready
What to wear
We head out in most weathers, so dress for mud and rain. At Stay and Play, grown-ups are outdoors too.
All year round
The essentials
- 👢 Wellies
- 🧥 Waterproof jacket and trousers
- 🎒 Spare clothes
Colder months
Wrap up warm
- 🧣 Thin layers
- 🧤 Hat and gloves
- 🧦 Warm socks
Warmer months
Stay cool and covered
- 👒 Sun hat
- ☀️ Sun cream
- 💧 Water bottle
Wear clothes that can get muddy. The muddier, the better!
Our Sustainability Promise
Small hands can make a big difference
We help children respect nature, care for wildlife and use resources wisely, so they leave the world a little better than they found it.
Working Together
Growing together as a community
Changing Leaf is built on strong relationships with families, our local community and the venues that host us. Together, we create welcoming outdoor spaces where every child can grow in confidence and wellbeing.
Parents & Carers
Open, friendly communication, and time outdoors you can share with your child.
Local Community
We look forward to building links with local groups, neighbours and organisations.
Our Venues
We work closely with the sites that host us, caring for each space so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Every Child
At the heart of everything we do, building on the skills they learn week by week.
Stories and ideas
Our latest articles
Ideas, stories and inspiration for getting outdoors with your children.
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Nature on your doorstep
Five ways to find nature in the city
Simple ideas for spotting wildlife on the walk to the shops or the park.
Read more →🐦
Nature on your doorstep
Bird factfile
Fascinating facts about nine birds you can spot in town.
Read more →💬
Learning together
Questions to ask outdoors
Open questions to spark your child's curiosity, plus our top tips.
Read more →📚
Stories at the heart
Our favourite nature books
Twelve picture books we love, each with an idea for taking the story outdoors.
Read more →🍂
Meet the team
Meet Hannah and Maxine
Our experience, why we started Changing Leaf, and what drives us.
Read more →👢
Getting ready
What to wear to forest school, whatever the weather
Our season-by-season guide to keeping young children warm, dry and happy.
Read more →⛪
Community
All Saints: a green space at the heart of the community
Celebrating the work at All Saints. We'll publish this only with their approval.
Read more →🍃
Our principles
The Changing Leaf principles, explained
What each of our nine principles means, and how it shapes every session.
Read more →Get in touch
Come and grow with us
Register your interest, ask about a free taster or just say hello. We'd love to hear from you.
Location
Two local outdoor sites,
announcing soon
announcing soon
Starting
Preschool Stay and Play: after October half term
Home Education: coming soon
Home Education: coming soon