Thursday's session focuses more on the children, giving them the opportunity to expend some of their boundless energy - and giving parents a bit of space and time to relax and breathe.

We meet around the fire at 9.30am, and sing our opening song.

A ramble through the woods follows, where children can climb, tumble, scramble, shout and jump. Parents are welcome to do the same if they feel the need!
On the way we're noticing what's growing, what's changing, what's happening as the seasons arise and give way to the next. Here and there we have a little song, or a game of finding and collecting, or even a pause to breathe and be still.
Around an hour later, we return - around the back of the pond where we might see clusters of frogspawn, late summer dragonflies, and if we're lucky we might even see the heron!

Back at our heated, covered base camp, Granny Oaks will have hot drinks waiting for us. Freshly home-baked bread and quality organic food will be set out at the table, as we gather to eat, singing our blessings and thanks together.

Afterwards, we're refreshed and ready for everyone to engage in an exciting creative project. Sometimes we use materials we have gathered on our walk, or sometimes using what else might have arrived with the seasons - making flower crowns, or building dens or an igloo!

Children also have the opportunity now to explore the area immediately outside, where there are logs for climbing, a sand pit, and all sorts of woodland materials to gather and experiment with. The blanket-covered 'stage' area will have wooden blocks and other items to play with. Parents can also use this time to simply relax and connect with other parents - or really connect with their children by enjoying the challenge of creating something new together.

Half an hour or so later, we sing the tidy time song as we clear up, ready to come together again for circle time around the fire.

We sing songs together with movements and gestures, and then a special treat for the older group - we finish with a seasonal story. Working with the same story for several weeks brings a feeling of confidence and contentment to our children.
We sing our goodbye song at 11.30am.

Thursday's Mighty Oaks is a more 'active' session. If your child is not yet three, yet you feel they already might enjoy something a little more physical and tailored towards them, then ask about the possibility of joining the Thursday session.

Younger siblings are welcome in Thursday's session, as long as they are comfortable carried in a sling* on the hour long woodland walk.
However, for their safety, and so that the older children are free to run relatively wild, crawling and toddling children really need to be in Monday's session.

*Please note: the woodland walk is not suitable for pushchairs.