Do I need Waterproof clothing for my child?

There can be water play during sessions or possible rain! Children can get wet and cold if they don’t have the right clothing on. We understand that for some children with SEN; clothing can bring it’s own challenges. Please don’t let clothing be a barrier to joining us. The main thing is for children to be kept warm and comfortable, especially in the winter. You may want to bring a few spare clothes along and those that protect from the sun in the warmer months.

What else should we bring?

It is a good idea to bring a drink and snacks, we don’t provide snacks. A spare pair of clothes in the car or under the buggy in case any water/mud sneaks through; will make sure you have warm cosy children when you leave. A bag to put all your muddy things in and maybe any creations that are made during the visit. Some of our ‘Family’ days we will suggest you bring a lunch/picnic to stay and enjoy on the site after the session. If you are attending a specific workshop session; details will be emailed with any additional suggestions on what to bring.

Location and Parking - Site 1

Site 1 - This is our main base; Jardin Des Buttes (St Saviours Woodland) opposite the Parish Hall.

Free parking is normally available and permission sought for our events please check the email you are sent for the location of this as it can vary for events/sessions; Most of our Spring and Summer sessions, parking is available at;

Parking is available on this green grass area (not the gravel office parking please) between Spring and the end of September. Please pull up in rows and make sure others can get in or out.

Parking is available at St Saviours Parish Hall as the main area during winter months, with some additional back to back parking in the Church Graveyard.

There is further parking available at Grainville and FCJ public car parking if required (make sure you display a yellow disc there).

Location and Parking - Coronation Park Site 2

We run a number of sessions in the Woodland area of Coronation Park (Milbrook Park). Parking is available in the park car park (please remember your yellow disc) or along the Avenue is paid parking. This is free during winter months (Check the Green Parking signs). This is a big public space, although we are in one area we do encourage exploration and enjoyment of the park. Please do keep a watchful eye on your child at all times as they remain your responsibility. Note; Dogs are allowed on this site on a lead, however we do ask that you don’t bring them directly into our play/workshops sessions (see ‘Are Dogs allowed on site section’). There is lots to continue enjoying in the park when our session comes to an end.

Location and Parking - St Mary’s COMMUNITY Centre Site 3

Parking is available in the main centre car park. There is also some parking available; opposite the Parish Hall and School on a gravel/dirt area towards the Church Graveyard. There is no charge for parking on site.

Location and Parking - St John’s Church Site 4

Free parking is available in and around St John’s Village. We will be situated in front of the Church building. During rain/winds we will use the Church Craft/Vestry room for our workshops

Are there toilets on site?

Site 1 - Jardin des Buttes - St Saviour Woodland base opposite the Parish Hall; yes there are toilets located in the Church grounds that are open and available to use. Top tip - when you park the car you will be close to them, so a visit before coming down onto site or on your way back to the car, may be a good idea. You may like to bring a portable potty along and there will be areas that you can change little ones.

Site 2 - Coronation Park - There are toilets close to the park car park entrance and Baby Change and toilets within the children’s play area near where we are based.

Site 3 - St Mary’s Community Centre - There are toilets outside. Please not that we only hire the ‘Outside’ space and use of toilets for our sessions.

Site 4 - St John’s Church grounds - We have use of the Church toilets and changing facilities

Do I have to book a block of sessions?

The only block booking we do is for The Therapeutic Forest School sessions, our other sessions are all designed to be booked as stand alone sessions, so you can pick and choose what sessions, days, times you come along to.

How do I find out more about upcoming sessions?

Find and follow our social media pages; the links are on the top and bottom of this page (the bottom if you are viewing on a mobile). They will keep you up to date with what is happening at Nature Base and show you what some of the sessions look like. We also share lot’s of nature and family related content.

What if it’s bad weather?

We will normally continue on in rain (we like rain) and will make some adaptions to sessions. We have a parachute shelter, sails, Nature Dome and Gazebo. Please keep an eye on our social media sites for details of cancellations. If there are high winds; we do need to cancel sessions due to safety (being around and under trees) and in extreme rainy conditions we may cancel due to risks e.g slipping and it is not much fun if everyone is very wet and cold. If we cancel a paid session we will work with you to reschedule you onto another session at no further cost.

What if i cant make a session?

You can transfer your booking to another session or ask for a refund with 48hrs notice of the start time of the booked paid session. If this happens on the day (or just before this timeline); we ask you to understand that lot’s of planning go into our sessions and often we are fully booked, therefore we are not able to refund after the 48hrs notice period. We may be able to transfer your booking to another session if this is due to illness, so do get in touch and ask us.

Risks on Site

Children remain the responsibility of their parents on site.

The woodland floor can be covered with small items and we may use small parts in some of our play (which could be possible choking hazards). We will always endeavour to make sure that the items are appropriate for the ages of the session, however please do keep a watchful eye on your young child at all times.

We want children to be able to have a sense of freedom to move around and explore sites. There will be Red boundary flags that will mark perceived hazards e.g a drain cover you could trip over or boundaries to not cross into in St Saviours site 1. These are helpful for you to see if children are moving towards an area where these have been placed and to talk to the children about these flags. The Parks and Gardens sites we use; we will give a brief safety talk at the introduction of our session to highlight particular risks.

We like to use the Risk Benefit approach where the developmental benefits outweigh the risk, however please make sure you are around/close by to supervise children, especially with:

Sensory swings and Hammocks may be in use at some sites; it should be noted our insurance covers a 2 meter drop height, also watch out they don’t hit a tree!

Tree climbing; is permitted and encouraged; please help your child to make their own risk assessments with your watchful eye. Noting our insurance covers up to 5 meters (which we may not want them to climb that high!)

Tool use; please supervise children during tool use. The leader will give demonstrations and then ask parents/accompanying adult to support their child in use

Are there other Nature Base Sites?

We are looking forward to popping up at more green spaces, parkland and woodland areas across the island as Nature Base grows, watch this space!

Are Dogs allowed on site?

We do not allow dogs on site during play sessions; we know this may make some people sad, sorry about that. However some children can be afraid of dogs and for site hygiene it makes life easier for us to not have dogs during sessions time. We do use a number of public sites; where dogs may be around the site on a lead. If you require the assistance of a dog to accompany you to a session; please give us a heads up.