From green shoots – Dulwich College

How would you describe DUCKS at Dulwich College?

DUCKS offers children from six months to seven years of age an environment of early excellence; we have an abundance of outdoor space to explore and excellent early education learning spaces filled with natural light. Furthermore, we have access to all the facilities and resources of Dulwich College.

At DUCKS we believe early years education needs to encourage our youngest learners to interact and construct knowledge by facilitating an environment that offers support, curiosity, communication, and cooperation. We encourage negotiation and problem-solving by providing open-ended tasks and materials that spark creativity, focusing on the experience and process rather than just the outcome.

We want our children to learn, to know that thinking is fun, and to be good at it. Provoking their curiosity and creativity through opportunities of discovery and exploration allows for problem-solving and innovative thinking. Our practitioners scaffold learning, providing ways for the children to predict, explain and collaborate.

Weekly sessions in our inspiring Forest School have also facilitated the development of resilient children who are not afraid to make mistakes and display an ability to bounce back from minor difficulties. A consideration of the benefits against the risks enables children to safely experience adventure and a sense of challenge.

How are parents involved at DUCKS?

Our partnership with parents is essential. Children have different ideas, needs, values and perspectives and we encourage this diversity, ensuring every child has access to and participates in meaningful experiences with positive outcomes.

Parents join in ‘Stay & Learn’ sessions in Forest School and within the everyday learning environment. Families partake in assemblies, cooking experiences and share celebrations and festivals with the community. Every year we celebrate Parent & Carer Week.

How are children engaged to learn more about sustainability and the environment?

Forest School is the perfect backdrop for children to engage in the environment and develop an understanding of its importance through immersion and overarching curriculum themes, such as Our Planet,Blue Planet, Invention and Innovation. We also mark special weeks and days such as Wildlife Day, Earth Day and Eco Week where we encourage leaving the car behind and have a bicyclers’ breakfast. In a recent project with a collaborative focus, children built a model sustainable DUCKS town with infrastructure and biodiversity, led by a local innovative architect.

How is inclusivity encouraged?

DUCKS is an inclusive and diverse community. A sense of belonging is developed through our community who come in to lead workshops and assemblies, for example, Diwali, Rosh Hashanah, Lunar New Year and Ramadan. Our inclusivity is reflected through sharing celebrations with those around us.