Do I need Waterproof clothing for my child?

There can be water play during sessions or possible rain! Children can get wet and cold if they don’t have the right clothing on. We understand that for some children with SEN; clothing can bring it’s own challenges. Please don’t let clothing be a barrier to joining us. The main thing is for children to be kept warm and comfortable, especially in the winter. You may want to bring a few spare clothes along and those that protect from the sun in the warmer months.

What else should we bring?

It is a good idea to bring a drink and your own snacks. In winter months some people bring a flask of hot drink. A spare pair of clothes in the car or under the buggy in case any water/mud sneaks through; will make sure you have warm cosy children when you leave. A bag to put all your muddy things in and maybe any creations that are made during the visit. Some of our ‘Family’ days we will suggest you bring a lunch/picnic to stay and enjoy on the site after the session. If you are attending a specific workshop session; details will be emailed with any additional suggestions on what to bring.

Location and Parking

Jardin Des Buttes (St Saviours Woodland) opposite the Parish Hall.

Free parking is normally available and permission sought for our events please check the email you are sent for the location of this as it can vary for events/sessions; Most of our Spring and Summer sessions, parking is available at;

Parking is available on this green grass area (not the gravel office parking please) between Spring and the end of September. Please pull up in rows and make sure others can get in or out.

Parking is available at St Saviours Parish Hall as the main area during winter months, with some additional back to back parking in the Church Graveyard.

There is further parking available at Grainville and FCJ public car parking if required (make sure you display a yellow disc for the Parish Hall and Granville). Some of our winter sessions we have permission to park at Highlands College.

Location and Parking

St Mary’s Youth and Community Centre

We run a number of sessions on the Green area at the side of the community centre. Parking is available in the main centre car park. There is plenty of parking available, however there is also an overflow car park opposite the Parish Hall; sign posted ‘Church Parking’

Other Locations - Parking

We ‘Pop up’ at too many locations to list now! you will be sent instructions on where to park and further details normally closer to a session, you can check social media or feel free to email us to ask.

Are there toilets on site?

Jardin des Buttes - St Saviour Woodland YES, there are toilets located in the Church grounds that are open and available to use. Top tip - when you park the car you will be close to them, so a visit before coming down onto site or on your way back to the car, may be a good idea. You may like to bring a portable potty along and there will be areas that you can change little ones. There is a steps and toilet seat for toddlers in the toilets. Babies normally get changed in the woodland on one of the mats.

St Mary’s Community Centre - YES, there are toilets outside. Please note that we only hire the ‘Outside’ space and use of toilets for our sessions (Sometimes the kids club is in the centre). We bring a changing mat and potty.

Other site - Toilets

We ‘Pop up’ in a large number of places, we do try to make sure we are close to some toilets, however to make some locations possible; if there is not a public toilet close by we will bring the portable toilet and tent for emergency visits! you may like to go before you come, however we know sometimes we need to go or the children do! There will either be hand gel or washing facilities close by. We also bring a potty along.

Do I have to book a block of sessions?

The only block booking we do is for The Therapeutic Forest School & Wild about well-being programmes, all our other sessions are all designed to be booked as stand alone ‘Pay as you book/go’ sessions, so you can pick and choose what sessions, days, times work for you.

How do I find out more about upcoming sessions?

Find and follow our social media pages; the links are on the top and bottom of this page (the bottom if you are viewing on a mobile). They will keep you up to date with what is happening at Nature Base and show you what some of the sessions look like. Sign up to our ‘Mailing list’ by scrolling down on any page on the website. Keep checkin in on our ‘Book a session’ page.

You can view our ‘Gallery page’ to see what sessions look like and watch some of our video content on social pages and on the website. We also share lot’s of nature and family related content, so do find us and ‘follow us’

What if it’s Raining or Windy weather?

We will normally continue on in rain and will make some adaptions to sessions. We have a range of shelters; parachute, sails, tarps Nature Dome and Gazebo. Please keep an eye on our social media sites for details of cancellations. If there are high winds; we may move location or may need to cancel/postpone sessions due to safety (being around and under trees, moving debris) and in extreme rainy conditions we may cancel due to risks e.g slipping and it is not much fun if everyone is completely soaked and cold. With the changes in weather lately we have continued on in more adverse conditions and found that people and we are adapting to this!

If we cancel a paid session we will work with you to reschedule you onto another session at no further cost. We will also normally have a reserve date for Pumpkin and Christmas sessions so you can have the second date in the diary.

What if i cant make a session?

You can transfer your booking to another session or ask for a refund with 48hrs notice of the start time of the booked paid session. If this happens on the day (or just before this timeline); we ask you to understand that lot’s of planning go into our sessions and often we are fully booked, therefore we are not able to refund after the 48hrs notice period. You can gift your ticket onto a friend to attend. We may be able to transfer your booking to another session if this is due to illness, so do get in touch and ask us.

Risks on Site

Children remain the responsibility of their parents/accompanying adult on site at all times.

The woodland floor can be covered with small items and we may use small parts in some of our play (which could be possible choking hazards) but have developmental benefits. We will always endeavour to make sure that the items are appropriate for the ages of the session, however please do keep a watchful eye on your young child at all times.

We want children to be able to have a sense of freedom to move around and explore sites.

Some sites we use have Red boundary flags that will mark perceived hazards e.g a drain cover you could trip over or boundaries to not cross over e.g near roads. We may highlight particular hazards in a pre-information email, but would encourage you to have a good look around as you join us on sites that are new to you.

We use a ‘Benefit Risk’ approach where we examine the developmental benefits for children and when they outweigh the perceived risks we will offer these activities as part of a ‘Risky play’ approach, however please make sure you are around/close by to supervise children and offer support when needed; especially with:

Sensory swings and Hammocks, it should be noted our insurance covers a 2 meter drop height, also watch out they don’t hit a tree! Encourage children and adults to get in and out slowly, and when swinging faster for children to cocoon themselves for extra support.

Tree climbing; is permitted and encouraged; please help your child to make their own risk assessments with your watchful eye. Noting our insurance covers up to 5 meters (which we would not recommend!).

Wagons - These offer so many benefits as children push and pull, move and run, load them with logs or equipment and communicate with eachother developing social and communication skills. Please make sure that they are not running pulling them to fast on hills or bumpy areas, that they could tip out of.

Tool use; please supervise children during tool use. The Nature Base lead will give instructions and a demonstrations and then ask parents/accompanying adults to support their child in developing use, they remain close by to offer continued support and answer questions.

Are Dogs allowed on site?

We do not allow dogs on site during play sessions; we know this may make some people sad, sorry about that. However some children can be afraid of dogs and for site hygiene it makes life easier for us to not have dogs during sessions time. We also have lots of toys/equipment that could be thrown around and would not want to put any child or pet at risk of thinking it was a toy for them. We do use a number of public sites; where dogs may be around the site. If your child is alarmed by a dog close by, please let one of the team know and they will have a conversation with the owner. If you require the assistance of a dog to accompany you to a session; please give us a heads up so we can plan around this.