Forest School vs Outdoor Kindergarten — What’s the Difference?

We’re often asked whether we are a Forest School or an Outdoor Kindergarten and what is the difference?

The answer is:

"We are an outdoor kindergarten that embeds Forest School into daily practice"

Here’s what that means.

Forest School is an ethos and a qualification

Forest School is a child-centred approach to learning that requires trained Forest School leaders to deliver it properly.

Forest School practice includes:

• Long-term, child-led learning

• Risk-managed play and exploration

• Activities such as fire lighting, cooking on fires and the use of tools

• Careful observation and progression over time

To do this, settings must have qualified Forest School leaders who are trained to manage risk, tools and fire safely.

An Outdoor Kindergarten is a setting

An outdoor kindergarten is a full-time early years setting where children are outdoors every day.

Outdoor kindergartens:

• Do not require Forest School qualifications

• May or may not deliver Forest School sessions

• Focus on outdoor provision as the learning environment

• Follow the Early Years Foundation Stage

Being outdoors alone does not automatically make a setting a Forest School.

What makes us different?

At The World Outside Kindergarten, we go further.

• We are a full outdoor kindergarten

• We have nine qualified Forest School leaders

• We run Forest School most days

• This allows us to safely and routinely:

  • Cook on open fires

  • Use tools as part of everyday learning

  • Embed Forest School principles across the week, not as a one-off session

    
    

Because Forest School is part of our daily practice, children experience continuity, progression and confidence-building over time — not isolated activities.

"The outdoors is our classroom.

Forest School is part of how we teach every day."