About
How do children explore and learn at Barnwood?
Small Groups
Maximum 5-6 children per group
Home Environment
Wildlife-friendly garden & adapted spaces
Child-Led Learning
Curiosity & creativity focused
💰 Cost & Time Commitment
Unit Structure
Units are five weeks long split into weekly two hour sessions.
Pricing
👶 Age Group Arrangement
Younger Group
Ages 5, 6, and 7 years old
Older Group
Ages 8, 9, 10, and 11 years old
📊 Group Size & Ratios
🎨 Learning Format
Younger Groups
Learning space arranged like an early years classroom with multiple accessible available for children to explore as and when they choose.
General sessions will always include a short English and maths input each week. The way we explore and consolidate this will vary each week according to the interests of the group.
Specific sessions will explore a theme or topic with more depth and breadth over the course of five weeks. English, Maths and phonics skills will obviously be supported during these sessions too.
Older Groups
The learning space is the same as for the younger groups so there is still access to an outdoor space and lovely learning materials. These sessions are project/ theme based and allow for children to explore and achieve project aims in multiple ways.
Activities carefully chosen to support learning around chosen topics
Focus on curiosity, creativity and independent learning
Adults acting predominantly as a facilitator
🧩 Why Block/Unit Learning?
Benefits for Home Educators
We understand that some home educators worry about the additional pressure of consistent group socialisation for their children. This format allows for longer periods of socialisation with a consistent group of children.
Children meet, learn and play with others their age
Build meaningful bonds over longer periods
Develop social and emotional skills progressively
🏡 Learning Environment
Indoor Space
Adapted area designed to be homely and inviting while providing safe spaces for learning.
Wildlife Garden
Access to our wildlife-friendly garden - we're huge fans of creating wildlife-friendly spaces!
👨👩👧👦 Parent Attendance
Parents do not attend sessions
However, parents can help their children settle in for the first 10 minutes of the first session of each block.
🤝 Additional Needs & Behaviour
Additional Needs
Please discuss your child's specific needs with us at booking time. Our approach may be well-suited to children with additional needs. We'll always be honest about whether we can meet your child's needs to the standards you expect.
Behaviour Expectations
We maintain a calm, safe environment for everyone. While we work with children who have various needs and challenges, our small team means we need all children to be able to participate safely alongside others.
🍎 Lunch & Snacks
Lunch Sessions
For any sessions that run over the lunch period, lunch needs to be brought with the child . Please pack a nutritious meal that your child enjoys.
Regular Sessions
For all other sessions, a fruit snack is provided.
📝 Formal Assessment & Monitoring?
Absolutely not!
We do not formally assess or monitor progress.
What we do offer:
Informal feedback about strengths and interests we notice
Share methods, games, and learning approaches that benefit your child
Ongoing conversation and relationship with parents