About The Wild Horse Tribe.
Are you looking for somewhere your children can experience the freedom of spending days outside, discovering the world around them, feeling the joy and wonder of being alive, and feeling a sense of belonging, to themselves and to the Earth?....
The Wild Horse Tribe is a space that seeks to provide that experience.
The Wild Horse Tribe is for children aged 5-12 years old who are not in school or are flexi-schooling, it is a space of their own, away from parents, where they can play, create, build friendships and connect with the natural world.
The Wild Horse Tribe is a place where children can be themselves and be supported on the important journey of discovering who they are and what it is they are here to do.
At The Wild Horse Tribe Nature is our primary teacher.
We will closely follow the seasons, with seasonal activities and celebrations designed to connect us to the natural rhythms of the Earth and foster a relationship with the natural world which brings a sense of belonging.
At The Wild Horse Tribe adults are mentors and guides, supporting the young people's natural curiosity and scaffolding children's interests with structured activities.
As facilitators we recognise that we too are on a journey and adults and children will learn from each other and spark ideas and learning.
At The Wild Tribe, the benefits of spending time outdoors for both physical and emotional well-being are recognised - A strong connection with the natural world helps support mental/emotional wellness.
We have 2 sites that we operate from. April to the October we spend our days in a beautiful woodland near Hoarwithy where we have use of a large kitchen, wooden cabin, tarp covered spaces, a tipi, cob pizza oven, hammocks and fire circles.
From October to the end of March we are based in Little Birch.
Underpinning values and structure.
Relationships - Supportive, caring relationships are at the heart of The Wild Horse Tribe. Seeing ourselves as a tribe means that we are all equally valued and have unique gifts and perspective to bring to the group. As a tribe, we will listen to each other, respect each other, help each other and aim to be the best versions of ourselves for the benefit of everyone.
Wellbeing - Mental health struggles have become epidemic in our society. Young people are telling us through their emotions that something is not working and that we need to pay more attention to our emotional wellbeing.
At The Wild Horse Tribe we will incorporate and teach a number of simple wellbeing practises including yoga , mindfulness, guided mediation and Nature Connection. This will empower children and teens to develop healthy self-care practises that can continue to support them as they become adults.
Each day will begin with a morning Circle, which will always include some yoga or other physical grounding exercise and a short guided meditation to regulate nervous systems, help everyone to feel calm and set the children up for the day.
Gathering in circle is a powerful practise that allows individuals to really feel seen and heard in a way unlike any other. The physical arrangement of individuals in a circle creates a natural sense of equality, containment (which leads to feelings of safety and trust) and group bonding.
The morning (and end of day Circle) is also an opportunity for individuals to share how they are feeling and talk about different topics.
Child centred - Children and teens will be given the time and space to discover and explore their interests. The seeds of the person a child will grow into are there from a very young age, at The Wild Horse Tribe, our intention is to provide the best soil and environment to nurture these seeds and help children and teens find out who they are (including their strengths) and in what way they can contribute to society.
Allowing children to be self-directed and choose how to spend their time, helps to foster confidant, capable adults who take responsibility for themselves.
Relationship with the Natural world - Based for most of the year in a woodland or with access to a nearby woodland, the children and teens will be encouraged and supported in developing their own unique relationship with the world around them. Incorporating the Native American philosophy of viewing the other inhabitants of this planet as our 'relations', children and teens will have the opportunity to develop a close, respectful relationship with the rest of Nature.
Depending on the season, children and teens will have the opportunity to play Nature connection games, build dens, do seasonal crafts, learn about flora and fauna, forage for food, and cook on an open fire etc.
“We learn to love nature as children, and our commitment to nature later in life – respecting it, protecting it, restoring it, or simply enjoying it – is built on that childhood foundation. That’s why it’s so important we give all children the chance to experience the natural world”. Former Environment Minister Rory Stewart, 2016.
Therapeutic benefits of being outdoors - Numerous studies evidence the many benefits of spending time outdoors on physical health (enhanced immune system), emotional/mental health (reduced stress, increased calmness) and learning (better concentration).
According to a 4 year study, 'The Natural Connections Demonstration project', funded by Natural England and DEFRA:
“The evidence is clear – getting children outdoors is fantastic for their health, wellbeing and learning and can set them on a pathway to happy, healthy and environmentally sustainable lifestyles”
Physical activity - The Wild Horse Tribe offers children and teens plenty of time and space to move in different ways meaning that they easily have the opportunity to meet the government’s physical activity guidelines for 5-16yr olds.
Play - Children (and adults!) learn so much through play. This learning doesn't stop at school starting age. At The Wild Horse Tribe children and teens are free to play as much as they like.
"Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child's soul" - Friedrich Froebel (1782 - 1852 German educator who invented Kindergarten).
"Play is the work of childhood" - Jean Piaget
"Play is the highest form of research" - Albert Einstein.
"Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children.” ~ Kenneth R. Ginsburg American Paediatrician and author of 'Building Resilience in Children and Teens - Giving them Roots and Wings'
Creativity - Our imaginations are our superpower! Being creative helps us to express ourselves and process emotions. At The Wild Horse Tribe children and teens will have access to a range of creative materials and processes including sewing, knitting, painting, and cooking.
All the staff at The Wild Horse Tribe have a creative background and enjoy creative hobbies.
We will facilitate and support any creative ideas or interests that the children have, as well as setting up a range of creative activities that the children can choose to engage with.
Meet the Team
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Days, Hours and Fees.
The Wild Horse Tribe is currently open 2 days a week for children aged 5-12 years.
Thursdays: 10.00 AM - 3.30 PM
Fridays: 10.00 AM - 3.00 PM April to the end of September
10.00 AM - 3.30 PM October to the end of March.
The Wild Horse Tribe is a drop off setting so children attend without their parents/carers.
Please speak to us if you feel your child may need some extra support settling in (e.g. staying with them until they feel settled).
Initially children can choose to attend a taster day, week or month before committing to a place in the tribe.
Priority for places will be given to children attending 2 days a week as this helps to build a stronger community and supports children's friendships and ongoing projects.
We follow Herefordshire County Council term dates.
Fees.
£30.00 per day (Standard Waged)
£40.00 (Higher Waged or In Receipt of Universal Credit)
10% Discount for Siblings.
Fees to be paid daily or weekly for the taster sessions (up to 4 weeks), after which families will be asked to commit to weekly sessions and pay fees monthly by direct debit.
To support affordability we have gone through the process of being Ofsted registered.
Ofsted Registration: 2845287
Help may be available through various government schemes (Tax-Free Childcare and Childcare Vouchers).
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit you may be able to claim up to 85% of childcare costs.
Help paying for childcare: Childcare you can get help paying for ('approved childcare') - Tax-Free Childcare - GOV.UK
Check what help you could get with childcare costs - GOV.UK