Childcare and SVQ Provision
Award in Forest Kindergarten - Internal Students
Campus Granton Campus
Qualification SCQF Level 7
Study mode Part time
Start date
Apr 2027
Course enquiry form
Course overview
The SQA-certified Forest Kindergarten course has been put together to specifically meet the needs of practitioners who would like to set up a regular routine of off-site visits to a local wood or nearby greenspace for children in their setting. It is becoming increasingly recognised that there are many benefits to allowing children to play freely in local woodlands regularly.
The course consists of 2 full days in college, plus a short discussion session on Teams.
Please note that this course does not include tool use and fire skills.
Additional dates will be offered according to demand. For further information or to register interest in future dates, please contact jane.stevenson@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.
What you will learn
- Place. Locating a suitable woodland and taking practical steps, including risk assessment and preparing the space.
- People. Planning and engaging with children and adults, including practical suggestions to engage and inform staff, children and parents
- Pedagogy. Possible lines of development to extend children’s experiences of playing in the woods.
Placement information
- The course requires observation of an outdoor session with children, which follows the principles of Forest Kindergarten. This can be done in your workplace or a setting of your choice. The college can support with arranging visits where required.
- You are expected to test out your learning by leading part or all of an outdoor session in practice with children.
How the course is assessed
- The majority of the course requirements are assessed during the sessions by taking part in activities and discussions.
- In addition, you will develop and present information to show your understanding as part of a group at the end of session 2
- You will also complete a reflection where you discuss your learning from both the observation and trying out a Forest Kindergarten session in practice.
Number of days per week
- The course consists of 2 full days in college, plus a short discussion session on Teams.
- Course dates (please state in your personal statement which option you prefer)
- Thursdays 18 April and 25 April
- Saturdays 20 and 27 April
Contact us for details of additional dates.
Entry requirements
- The course is suitable for those currently working or volunteering in a childcare setting.
- In your personal statement, please give information on your current job/volunteer role and state whether you currently have access to a setting which provides Forest Kindergarten or similar outdoor play opportunities.
English Proficiency Requirements
To enable our students the best opportunity of achieving this course, applicants for whom English is an additional language require an existing English language certificate at IELTS Level 5.5 or equivalent. Alternatively, additional language applicants will be required to undertake an English Language Assessment at the College. There will be a cost of £20 for this test unless you are in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Disability Benefit or Income Support or if you are an asylum seeker or refugee. English proficiency at IELTS Level 5.5 or equivalent is a course requirement. If you would like any more information on please contact duncan.munro@edinburghcollege.ac.ukStudy Options
| Campus | Study mode | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granton Campus | Part time | 19/04/27 | 08/05/27 |
