Footprints in the Forest, Forest School, Ysgol Goedwig

Forest school near Chepstow and the Wye ValleyLittle footprints, big woods.

Footprints in the Forest is a new forest school for children aged two to five, led by a qualified teacher. Small groups, real woodland and every season, with mud, fires, dens and stories along the way.

Join the founding familiesA day in the woods

A loose ink drawing of a forest school outing in autumn: three leaders and twelve small children along a muddy path under a golden oak, one leader kneeling at a puddle with a huddle of children, two children holding leaves up high.

What makes Footprints different

The rhythm of a session

A day in the woods

Every session follows a gentle rhythm, so children know what comes next and soon feel at home.

  1. A leader and a ring of small children sitting on logs in a clearing, one child running to find a space.
    everyone gets a log

    Welcome circle

    We gather round, say hello and wonder what the wood will show us today.

  2. Two children crouched at the foot of a tree with a hand lens, a leader kneeling beside them pointing.
    look closer

    Explore

    Bugs, mushrooms, puddles and trees to climb. Children follow whatever makes them curious.

  3. Children on logs round a small fire holding mugs in both hands, while a leader toasts bread on a stick.
    the kettle is always on

    Snack by the fire

    A warm drink and something to toast, with simple fire rules that everyone learns.

  4. Children building a den of long sticks against a tree, one dragging a big branch, with a mud kitchen beside them.
    mud pie, anyone?

    Make and do

    Dens, mud kitchens, and making things from whatever the wood gives us.

  5. A leader reading from a book on her knees to a huddle of children on a blanket under the oak.
    just one more

    Story time

    A story or a song under the trees, often about something we found that day.

  6. A row of muddy wellies on a log, and the children walking up the path to the gate with a leader, one waving back.
    wellies off at the door

    Home time

    Muddy boots, rosy cheeks and plenty to tell you on the way home.

Sessions

Four ways into the woods

For children from two to five, with something for younger brothers and sisters too.

All year round

Through the seasons

We're out all year, because every season has something new to find.

Today near Chepstow: 8° and cloud. Wellies weather. Light until 4.43pm.

  • A child crouched among bluebells, nose to nose with a snail, with a hare sitting up behind.

    Spring

    Bluebells, birdsong and new green leaves.

  • A child lying in long grass looking up at the sky, with foxgloves leaning over and a bee.

    Summer

    Dappled shade, hammocks and long sunny mornings.

  • A child throwing an armful of fallen leaves into the air, with a squirrel on a branch above.

    Autumn

    Conkers, crunchy leaves and the first fires.

  • A child in a scarf holding out a mitten to a robin on a holly twig in the snow.

    Winter

    Frosty tracks, warm mittens and hot chocolate.

Why it matters

Why forest school?

Forest school means regular time in the same woodland, where children lead their own play and learning with a trained leader beside them.

Small risks, taken safely, build confidence. Muddy hands build curiosity. Friendships grow round the fire. And it all fits naturally with the Curriculum for Wales.

A small child in a yellow rain suit crouches at a puddle with both hands in the mud, a robin watching from a twig.
A trail of small bare footprints wanders across the page.

Your turn: run a finger, or the mouse, across the page.

Clean air

Fires without the smoke

Most forest schools light open fires, and the smoke that drifts off them is no good for small lungs. We love a fire as much as anyone, so we do it differently.

Fire safety is taught and practised at every session: the fire circle, how to sit, how to move around it. We'll show you on your first visit.

A loose ink-and-wash sketch of Elle Peate, smiling, with her long hair down.
Elle

Meet Elle

Led by Elle Peate

Elle is a qualified teacher who spent fifteen years in Welsh classrooms before founding Cultivate, where she helps schools across Wales with the Curriculum for Wales. Forest school is her lifelong dream, and she holds the highest Forest School and childcare qualifications.

Footprints is small on purpose, so every child is known by name and every parent knows exactly who is looking after them.

  • Qualified teacher (QTS)
  • Fifteen years in Welsh classrooms
  • Forest School and childcare qualified
  • Founder of Cultivate

Elle also runs Cultivate Education Consultancy.

Meet the team

Credentials

Qualified, checked and ready

Elle is a qualified teacher and holds the highest forest school qualification, along with everything else a forest school must have before it opens its gate.

Ask, and we will show you the certificates.

Two promises

Private, and not on social media

Your child's day, for you aloneA few photographs the same evening, the week ahead, what to bring: in the Den, private to each family, with a two-step sign-in and nothing ever public.Inside the DenYou will not find us on social mediaWe will never post a picture of your child, and we will never ask to. We would rather be found by people who have been, telling people who have not.Why, and how you will find us
The Footprints in the Forest wreath of a barn owl, hare, red squirrel, robin and fox.

Founding families

Be first to hear when places open

Join the founding families for first choice of places, opening dates and news from the woods.

  • First choice of places
  • One email a month at most
  • Leave at any time

Join the founding familiestakes a minute, no commitment