We are starting a Forest School!
Flo & Fawn is still very much a fledgeling business.
We wanted to share the process of how we take off here on this blog, as much as a record to look back on as anything else. We also hope that by watching us follow our dreams we might also inspire you to follow yours.
The idea of creating our own Forest School first began in 2014 but was quickly followed by thoughts of ‘Surely we couldn’t do that?’.
Busy lives teaching and parenting, not to mention a new baby, a wedding, a move overseas (and back) and a new puppy, quickly overtook any dreams of setting up on our own.
However, we both continued to grow towards the ethos of Forest Schools and spending time outside with our families, with Becky undertaking Forest School Leader training and both of us (in separate locations) becoming Beaver Scout Leaders.
Then came 2020, a year which has forced everyone to question what they want their ‘new normal’ to be. For us that meant creating something we are passionate about, something that will allow children and families, including our own, to reconnect with the natural world through play and learning. We wanted to create something to inspire other families to take their learning into the wild with us.
As an experienced primary school teacher and a Forest School Leader, Becky had the qualifications we needed to run Forest School sessions. We both hold full First Aid qualifications and between us have experience of running beaver scout groups, holiday clubs and museums education programmes.
We were offered the use of a beautiful piece of woodland near our homes, so that was our first site secured. As the pieces fell into place we felt sure that we could now take this project from an idea into reality.
We have had a lot of fun with the other elements of setting up a business such as the as logo design and website development and have ploughed through the seemingly never-ending lists of admin involved such as setting up bank accounts and finding suitable insurance.
Most importantly, and over many, many cups of coffee, we came up with the following mission statement for Flo & Fawn; to provide high-quality natural play and learning opportunities for all. We know the benefits of nature on everyone’s wellbeing and mental health and are committed to delivering engaging and inclusive sessions and resources to allow everyone to connect with their inner wild child!
We can’t wait to have you join us for the next and most exciting part of our new venture as we launch our Wild Families sessions soon.
