Terms And Conditions
Cancellations
To receive a refund, cancellations must be made at least 5 working days before the booked birthday party. This allows us to offer the space to those on our waiting list.
pAYMENT
Schools and educational institutions will receive monthly invoices for Forest School sessions.
Payments for birthday parties and community events must be made in advance via bank transfer. A 50% deposit is required to secure the date, with the remaining balance due 4 days before the session.
Consent Forms
Please inform us of any medical, dietary issues, additional needs. The forms will be sent out to you once deposit is made. This form allows you to provide details about any medical conditions, dietary needs, or additional support requirements. It also includes a section for photo/video consent. Completed forms must be signed and returned at least 48 hours before the first session. We also require any changes to information submitted on our medical/consent forms to be shared with us, for the comfort and safety of all attendees.
Medication
If your children/students need medication then please remember to tell us and to bring it with you. It is up to you to make sure we know any relevant medical conditions, and to bring appropriate amounts of any medication required. Please make sure that if your child/student suffers from asthma that they have an inhaler, and if they suffer from anaphylaxis and carry an EpiPen with them. We will refuse to accept children who do not have sufficient medicine, for their own safety.
Safeguarding
We have policies and procedures related to safeguarding for both clients and staff, which we can provide upon request. If you have any concerns regarding the safeguarding of a child or vulnerable adult, please contact us. Confidentiality is maintained, except where disclosure is legally required.
Staff Ratio
For school groups, we require teaching staff or assistants to be present during sessions, with a recommended adult-to-child ratio of 1:8, depending on the needs of the group. For birthday parties, at least two adults must accompany the group and be prepared to participate in activities.
What to wear
Everyone attending must be suitably dressed for the occasion, including parents, educators, and carers. Appropriate clothing includes long-sleeve tops, trousers, waterproof coats/over-trousers, and practical footwear (no crocs or open sandals). The woods can be cooler than expected, so layering is advised.
Photo/video consent
We respect individuals’ privacy and always seek consent before taking photographs or videos. These may be used for marketing or on our social media platforms. In educational settings, we do not take photos of children’s faces. However, we encourage teachers to take their own photos to share with parents as evidence of participation.
Knives
For safety reasons, children/students must not bring any kind of knife. If a knife is found, it will be confiscated by Branch Out Forest School staff and returned to a parent or teacher at the end of the session.
Insects
We share the woods with a variety of insects and animals. In warmer months, mosquitoes, wasps, and bees may be present. If your child is susceptible to bites or stings, we recommend applying insect repellent before attending. In rare cases of stings, we will inform you immediately. If your child is allergic, please indicate this on the booking form and send any necessary medication (e.g., Piriton).
Ticks are small parasites found in wooded areas. If our staff notice a tick on a child, they will remove it using a tick key and inform you upon pickup. If you find a tick, remove it carefully with a tick key or loop of cotton thread. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, so seek medical advice if needed.
Weather
Session’s run-in all-weather conditions. However, in the event of high winds or thunderstorms, the session will be rescheduled, moved indoors (if in a school setting), or a full refund will be offered
Feedback and Concerns
We value your feedback and encourage open communication about your experience at Forest School. If you have any concerns, please speak with us directly, call, or email. We aim to address all feedback in an open and constructive manner.