Redcliffe Nursery School and Millie’s Garden were delighted to welcome Sally Hogg, Director at the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, in December, and she has now shared her reflections on the visit.
Sally Hogg visited Redcliffe Nursery School in December, joining a group of three- and four-year-olds heading out into the forest. She saw how the children played, explored and had fun in nature under the skilled supervision of the educators, experiencing firsthand how children, some of whom have faced difficult circumstances, could thrive in the forest school environment in ways that are harder in indoor settings and busier spaces.
Sally learned about the trauma-informed approaches at Redcliffe, including the reflective supervision model for staff and the commitment to inclusion seen through an equity lens. This approach focuses not on giving every child the same experiences, but on giving every child what they need to thrive. She experienced the skilled work of the educators who create environments where all children can flourish, regardless of the challenges they may have faced.
Sally Hogg shared: “Across the early childhood sector in the UK, there are rich examples of hope, love, courage and creativity, even in difficult times. This week I had the opportunity to see these things in action in the wonderful Redcliffe Nursery School and Millie’s Garden.”
She expressed gratitude to the setting leaders Millie and Sam, their colleagues and the children and families for inviting her to learn from their amazing work. This recognition from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood highlights the exceptional quality of provision and the transformative impact of Redcliffe Nursery School’s approach to outdoor learning, trauma-informed practice and inclusive education.