Fresh air, muddy knees, and confident little explorers

Outdoor learning is part of everyday nursery life. We use nature, movement, and real-world play to build resilience, curiosity, communication, and independence.

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Daily outdoor access

All weather play

Risk-aware learning

Why Outdoor Learning Matters

Outdoor learning supports children in ways indoor spaces simply can’t. Fresh air, space, and freedom all play an important role in children’s wellbeing and development.

Confidence through movement

Climbing, jumping, and active play helps children feel capable in their bodies and bold in their choices.

Daily outdoor play

Coordination, balance, and strength

Uneven ground, open space, and big-body play supports physical development in a natural way.

Physical development

Real experiences and problem-solving

Children learn by doing, building, testing ideas, and figuring out what works in the real world.

Learning through play

Emotion regulation and energy release

Outside gives children room to breathe, reset, and move through big feelings in healthy ways.

Wellbeing

Resilience and independence

Outdoor play builds persistence, confidence, and safe risk-taking, with staff supporting every step.

Confidence building

Every Nursery, Every Day

All of our nursery settings have dedicated outdoor spaces, and children are encouraged to access them daily, in all seasons.

We adapt outdoor learning to the weather, the children, and the day, ensuring it always feels safe, purposeful, and enjoyable.

Free play and exploration
Group activities and games
Quiet moments and observation
Physical challenges and movement
Nature-based play

Outdoor spaces designed for play

Dedicated areas for climbing, running, messy play, and imagination.

All-weather learning

We dress for the day and keep outdoor time comfortable and fun.

Games and group activities

Outdoor routines include teamwork, turn-taking, and friendly challenges.

Nature-based discovery

Children observe, collect, explore, and learn from the world around them.

Learning Through Nature

Being outdoors gives children the freedom to learn by doing

climbing, balancing, digging, watching, building and exploring at their own pace.

Natural textures and materials

Mud, sand, leaves, sticks, water, and stones spark sensory play and curiosity.

Sensory play

Changing seasons

Children notice what changes over time and learn to adapt to new conditions and weather.

Seasonal learning

Cause and effect

Pouring, rolling, building, and testing ideas helps children understand “what happens if…?”

Curiosity

Risk awareness and decision-making

Children practise making safe choices with support, building confidence and judgement.

Safe risk-taking

What This Looks Like in Practice

Outdoor learning is woven into the day, not bolted on.

Move Explore Build Notice Wonder

Story time under a tree

Familiar routines outdoors, with fresh air and focused listening.

Communication

Counting stones or leaves

Early maths using real objects children can touch, move, and compare.

Early learning

Mud, water, and sand play

Sensory exploration that naturally teaches cause and effect.

Sensory play

Running, climbing, balancing

Safe physical challenges that build strength, coordination, and confidence.

Physical development

Quiet moments noticing nature

Listening for sounds, spotting insects, watching the weather change.

Wellbeing

Children are supported by familiar adults who encourage curiosity while keeping safety at the centre.

Forest School Opportunities

Where nature becomes the classroom

At selected nurseries, children aged 3–4 can experience dedicated Forest School sessions set within natural woodland environments. These sessions nurture confidence, resilience, independence, and a lifelong love of learning through hands-on discovery.