Our Team
Danielle is passionate about using Maria Montessori’s teachings to grow the creative spark and intrinsic will to learn within all of us. For over two decades, she has supported children to flourish through this approach, alongside her roles in safeguarding and observation.
In recent years, her focus has shifted to exploring how natural outdoor environments can inspire a love of nature and encourage curiosity about the world beneath our feet.
Manager & Montessori Lead – Danielle Budde
Montessori & Forest School Lead – Deanne Reynolds
Deanne Reynolds has worked with children and education for the past twenty, years and has been dedicated to providing outdoor learning experiences as a Forest School Lead for the last decade.
She has a passion for watching the spark of creativity ignite whilst working and scaffolding learning in the outdoors. Her practice is mindful of the health benefits of reconnecting children with nature.
Deanne is also an accredited play therapist and creative counsellor, and she is particularly committed to promoting green spaces to support children’s and young people’s sense of purpose and mental health.
Digital Resources – Gregory Moss
Gregory is a Senior Technical Lead at multi-award winning technology consultancy, Softwire. He runs the digital side of Budding Explorers Forest School and keeps your data secure.
Gregory takes Fridays off from his indoor job, and you will encounter him in Carer & Child sessions explaining the natural world or keeping everything set up. He has a DPhil in Particle Physics - you may detect his influence in the occasional science-based activity!
Former Team Members
Forest School Lead – Carolina Fattori de Toledo
Carolina has been a qualified Forest School lead and nursery teacher for over a decade. She is an enthusiast for outdoor education and has a particular interest in the long-term mental health benefits that result from interaction with the natural world.
With the number restrictions for the Carer & Child sessions, Carolina is not currently active with us, but can be found running other nature-based activities in the city.
Forest School Lead – Hannah Jones
Hannah has been delivering environmental education for nearly a decade. She is passionate about Forest school’s ability to create meaningful connections with the outdoors, in particular its nurturing of community and sense of belonging. Hannah loves facilitating learning in wild spaces and believes that nature is the best classroom we have!
With the loss of use of the site for drop-off sessions, Hannah is not currently active with us. Instead, she is out exploring the world!