FAQs
Can I take younger children with me?
Yes. Siblings under 24 months are welcome to attend, free of charge. Baby carriers, backpacs and pushchairs are all common sights at Mud Pies.
Who, where and when?
Mud Pies weekly classes are for children aged 24 months to five year olds and their parent or other carer, i.e. children who are not yet in Primary 1.
Classes are weekly and held in blocks lasting half a school term. Each class lasts 90 minutes and will involve up to 15 children and their adults.
Sessions run throughout the school year and are held in specially selected woods within Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Classes run on Mondays: 10am – 11.30am, repeated again between 1pm and 2.30pm.
What’s involved?
After an initial welcome to each day’s theme, we explore the wood looking for interesting items to collect. We then arrive at ‘camp’ (with temporary tarpaulin shelter if weather is bad) to find out about the things we’ve collected and usually use these to make something to take home. There is also time for snack – digestive biscuits and water, Ribena and hot chocolate – and free play. Mud Pies brings along spoons and plates for digging, chalk for drawing and toy diggers and soft toys. There’s usually a game of hide and seek on our way back to the car park too!
Not just for children!
Parents/carers play an active role in each session. This is an ideal opportunity for children and their adults to enjoy quality time while learning together about the environment. Mud Pies hopes participants will be inspired to carry on exploring nature out with Mud Pies!
How much?
Classes are paid for in session blocks. Each class costs £10, so a six week session costs £60 per child. Adults go free. Payment (online or by bacs) is made prior to the start of the session.
What do we bring?
Please ensure you are all dressed appropriately, with the necessary waterproofs, footwear, hats and/or sunscreen. As we move at child pace waterproof trousers are great for keeping adults warm too. You don’t need any further equipment but teddies, bug boxes etc are welcome.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Classes go ahead unless it is deemed not safe to drive to the location or if the woods are considered unsafe to be within. Young children are generally more than happy to stay out in the wet and cold if they’re enjoying themselves. Just ensure you are both dressed for the conditions. However, in case of severe weather, especially where travel is affected, classes may be cancelled. We will let you know as soon as possible on the day of the class as is possible. If in doubt, please contact us. Mud Pies does not offer refunds on classes due to bad weather. If you don’t hear from us, the class is on!
When and how do I pay for classes?
Your child’s place on the session is only confirmed once payment is made, prior to you joining the course. You can pay online or by BACS.
Refund policy – you have the right to cancel your booking within fourteen working days of placing your payment, upon which a full refund will be given. Cancellations outwith this period are at the discretion of the management.
Can I leave my child in the care of Mud Pies at Mud Pies?
No. One of the guiding aims of Mud Pies is to encourage interaction between child and carer in this natural setting. Also, the parent/carer must take responsibility for their child’s behaviour throughout. Though classes are informal and relaxed, reasonable behaviour is expected so that everyone enjoys the session.
Are the activities completely safe?
Every reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the woodland venue and the class content are completely safe for those participating. However, Mud Pies encourages children, if they feel safe, to clamber over logs, climb small boulders and run down gentle slopes so minor bumps and scrapes may occur occasionally. Parents/carers are responsible at all times for their child’s safety.
Can I take photos of my child during the session?
Yes.
What about toilets?
A potette travel potty is available for use, although the most environmentally friendly way to go is to “Walk seven trees”!
What about older children? Can my child’s nursery or school book a session?
Mud Pies classes are for families with children aged between 24 months and five years (not yet in P1). Mud Pies also offers one-off visits for schools, nurseries and playgroups. Please get in touch if you’d like to know more about this type of activity session.
Terms & Conditions
Booking and payment
Classes must be booked and paid for prior to the commencement of the session. Payments can be made either online, by cheque or by BACS. Fees are not refundable. On receipt of your completed booking form and full payment Mud Pies will confirm your booking and acknowledge receipt of your payment via email.
Clothing
You must ensure you and your child are dressed for being outdoors, with appropriate waterproofs, footwear, hats and/or sunscreen.
Equipment
Mud Pies will provide all necessary equipment for each activity. Mud Pies does not accept responsibility for your or your child’s property.
Safety
You are vital to the successes of Mud Pies sessions and in making a booking you agree to participate with your child in the session activities.
Mud Pies will take all reasonable steps to ensure that you and your child can explore the outdoors safely. Mud Pies will have carried out a full risk benefit assessment of each woodland site and the activities it intends to carry on there. You should ensure that your child participates only if they feel safe to do so. Mud Pies will encourage each child to take part in the activities at their own level.
You, however, will remain responsible for your child during each Mud Pies class. In making a booking for a Mud Pies session, you acknowledge the risks associated with activities of this type and agree to keep your child safe during each class.
Health and social conditions
You must tell Mud Pies of any illnesses, allergies, disabilities or social problems that your child has or has recently had that may affect your child or other children during Mud Pies classes. This information will be treated confidentially.
Behaviour
You must make sure your child behaves in a respectful manner to other attendees.
Cancellations
Mud Pies reserves the right to alter or cancel classes as weather or other operational considerations dictate. If Mud Pies is unable to run a class (e.g. due to illness), participants will receive a refund of the fees for that class. Refunds are not given for cancellations out with Mud Pies’ control (e.g. weather).
Photography
Unless you advise Mud Pies in advance that you do not want your child to appear in any images, photographs of Mud Pies classes taken by Mud Pies may be used by Mud Pies for observational records, promotional material and website content.
Data protection
Mud Pies will keep your information in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and it will only be used for the purposes of Mud Pies. No other company or organisation will be given your personal details.
Complaints
Please contact Mud Pies as soon as possible to discuss any complaint you may have. E: info@mudpieadventures.co.uk, M: 07929 465680. Woodend Cottage, Netherley, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire AB39 3QL, Scotland.