About MK

Maple Kindergarten Forest School

‘In the Open’
 
Maple Kindergarten is a brand new outdoor pre-school class, with a embedded forest school ethos. Maple Kindergarten is an additional room (only outdoors) as part of Clapton Park Children's Centre for pre-school aged children (3-5 years old). 
 
Maple Kindergarten takes place mainly on Hackney Marshes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, term time only. 
 
They also have a beautiful, rustic, outdoor building tucked away in Clapton Park Children's Centre's garden. Here they can take shelter when the weather takes a turn which may have an impact on the safety of the group. In addition, to have the opportunity to spend some time doing arts and crafts and play with natural resources. 
 
During their time at Maple Kindergarten, children will experience all sorts of outdoor activities that help them to build an understanding and appreciation of the woodland with a holistic approach, informed by the forest school curriculum.
 
The Outdoor nursery will support children's learning and development through observations, planning and assessing. 
 
Parents / Carers will have access to Tapestry, to find out what their children have been getting up to and what they have been interested in during the day. 
 
The team will work alongside parents / carers to support the children to get ready for school as well as support those who wish to home school - having the opportunity to continue for another year.  
 
 
 
Maple Kindergarten Routine
 

Where: Hackney Marshes – location changes seasonaly to support sustanability 

Drop off

Hackney Marshes (hedgehog week - forest site stay)  9:00am – 10am

Clapton Park Children Centre (Bee week - Trek week) - 9am - 10am

Pick up

Clapton Park Children Centre Garden 4pm – 4:30pm 

Days/Time:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (term time ONLY) 9:00am – 4:30pm

Staff:

Hackney Forest School Senior Lead / Early Years Teacher

Early Years NEO / Forest School Lead 

Early Years NEO / Forest School Lead 

 

***Maple Kindergarten will run in all weathers except high winds or thunder and lightning.

 

Dietary Information

Parents/carers must provide a packed lunch per day (please find attached guidelines on packed lunches)

Maple Kindergarten will provide a healthy snack AM and PM.

Starter Kit

Maple Kindergarten will provide a 'starter kit' for families who wish to rent out a winter kit or summer kit. You will be asked to pay a deposit which will cover the essentials needed for Forest School.

The deposit will cover the following essentials;

  • Full Winter waterproof suit (trousers and jacket) / Summer kit 
  • Waterproof backpack
  • Food Thermos

 

Applying for a space

If you are interested in applying to our Outdoor nursery at Clapton Park Children's Centre, please fill out the application form below and email it to us at claptonpark@hackney.gov.uk
 
  5 Options        
1
Option 1 - 2 days funded (15 hours Band 1)
  9.00am-4.30pm
Mon-Tues OR Wed-Thurs
 
2
Option 2 - 4 days (15 hours funded for 2 days and paying for 2 days)
  9.00am-4.30pm Mon-Thurs  
3
Option 3 - 4 days funded (30 hours Any Banding)
  9.00am-4.30pm Mon-Thurs  
4 Option 4 - Paid 2 days   9.00am-4.30pm
Mon-Tues OR Wed-Thurs
 
5 Option 5 - Paid 4 days   9.00am-4.30pm Mon-Thurs  
 
 
For further details, please contact us on 0208 986 7437.
 
Please see our fees section attached below for more information on prices.