All about us!
Who are we?
Dens, Daisies & Discoveries, has been built with love over the years. Initially established as a passion project, Dens, Daisies & Discoveries has grown from solely providing weekly Toddler sessions to covering complex Sustainability and Environmental learning with school groups, developing confidence and independence in children who need varied learning environments, building relationships and social spaces for home educated families and having a blast with the muddiest birthday parties in town. 

The varied programmes have been developed and delivered by Josie Carding- Walker following experiences in her Primary Teaching career. We’ve been running since 2019 (with a little pandemic blip in the middle!), and have been growing from growing from strength to strength.

Our main operational site is at Kingmoor Nature Reserve South, Carlisle- you will find us here for the majority of our Toddler sessions, Birthday parties and Family events. We also travel, taking Forest School and outdoor learning to school sites, nurseries and anyone who needs the added outdoor boost!
Qualifiacations.
  • BSc Hons Biology with Ecology & Enviroment  studies.
  • PGCE Primary with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
  • Level 3 Forest School Leader
  • Outdoor and Forest School first aider
  • Paediatric first aider 
  • Food hygiene Level 2
  • DBS Checked

           “The more risks you allow children to take, the better they learn to take care of themselves." Roald Dahl.

          Why choose outdoor learning?

          Of course outdoor learning can be subject specific and tailored to outcomes, but simply being outdoors can provide opportunity to develop all of these wonderful things too!
          • Enhanced personal and social communication skills
          • Increased physical health
          • Enhanced mental and spiritual (sense of awe & wonder) health
          • Enhanced spiritual, sensory, and aesthetic awareness
          • The ability to assert personal control and increased sensitivity to one's own well-being.
          • Develop self esteem, take personal responsibility, co-operate with and respect the needs of others;
          • Extend personal horizons through greater appreciation and understanding of the world and its peoples around them;
          • Understand the need for sustainable relationships between people and their environment;
          • Enhance practical problem solving and team work skills.
          • Promote a positive and knowledgeable response towards personal health and well being

                            (Source: englishoutdoorcouncil.org)

                            "You are never too old to PLAY outside!"Unknown.

                            What is Forest School?

                            I truly believe that Forest school is magical, inspirational and amazing for well-being. There are currently multiple scientific studies going on worldwide to prove the benefits of being outdoors and especially in a woodland, for both physical and mental fitness! I know I certainly feel much calmer and less stressed amongst nature, don't you?

                            Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners, young, old or in between, regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees.

                            Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and complements the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.

                            The ethos is shared by thousands of trained practitioners across the UK and beyond. Its roots reach back to early years pioneers in outdoor learning and across the sea to Scandinavia.

                            At Forest School all participants are viewed as: 
                            • equal, unique and valuable
                            • competent to explore & discover
                            • entitled to experience appropriate risk and challenge
                            • entitled to choose, and to initiate and drive their own learning and development
                            • entitled to experience regular success
                            • entitled to develop positive relationships with themselves and other people
                            • entitled to develop a strong, positive relationship with their natural world
                            This learner-centred approach interweaves with the ever-changing moods and marvels, potential and challenges of the natural world through the seasons to fill every Forest School session and programme with discovery and difference. Yet each programme does also share a common set of principles, aimed at ensuring that all learners experience the cumulative and lasting benefits that quality Forest School offers.

                            Forest School (FS) follows 6 principles, set and reviewed by the Forest School Association which guide and unite Forest Schools across the country:
                            1. FS is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than a one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.

                            2. FS takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

                            3. FS uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.

                            4. FS aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

                            5. FS offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

                            6. FS is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice

                            (Source: Forest School Association)

                            New from December 2024!


                            Dens, Daisies & Discoveries is diversifying. We’re adapting our business models so that we can best serve the community that we love so much! Therefore, we now encompass 2 businesses :

                            • Dens, Daisies & Discoveries CIC 

                            CIC = Community interest company, therefore it exists to benefit the community. Within this element, all profits made within the activities are reinvested in the business to best serve the community. This may mean we can buy better equipment, diversify our activities, bring in other staff with new skills or subsidise costs to attendees, amongst many other possibilities.

                            Dens, Daisies & Discoveries CIC will now include all Toddler Groups, Home Education Groups, Family Forest School events, school and nursery workshops and any future grant funded projects!

                            • Josie Carding-Walker Forest School Leader Services

                            Josie will be covering all private parties just as she did before, on a self employed basis.