Outdoor Learning

We consider ourselves very lucky to have a lovely outdoor space within the nursery. Outdoor experiences are essential for healthy development in the early years. Children benefit so much from being outside, breathing in fresh air and having an open sky above them. Simply being around nature, trees and plants has wonderful effect of making children feel calm and comfortable. We believe in the principle that indoor activities can be taken into the outdoors such as reading, story time, painting and so on.

We also benefit from a wonderful large park across the road from our entrance pathway. Southfield Recreation Ground has within it a lovely little woodland where children can explore nature with adult support and supervision.

Our outdoor space continues to be used in a range of creative ways to put children in touch with nature. For example, we have had a minibeast area where we promote the habitat of interesting insects such as beetles for the children to learn about.

This wildlife/nature area in Southfield Recreation Ground is a great space for Forest School sessions and for the children to experience nature.

Forest School goes hand in hand with our commitment to Reggio Emilia and links neatly to the EYFS’ emphasis on the importance and value of daily outdoor experiences for children’s learning and development.  Through nature and nurture, Forest School aims to support children to grow and learn holistically in an outdoor environment.  Forest School enthuses children to engage through open exploration with the outdoors and nature, builds confidence, social skills and resilience whilst encouraging them to experience wonder and curiosity. Each child is a unique part of their own journey. We focus on each child holistically to ensure their social, personal, and emotional needs are nurtured, encouraging them to thrive. 

Forest school is a truly inspirational outdoor experience that offers all our children’s opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a natural environment.  We recognise that there is an ever-growing need to encourage children and adults alike of the role they play in conserving nature.  Forest School promotes this as when children are submerged in a natural environment and begin to learn about their surroundings, they become much more respectful of the natural world and see themselves as part of it.

Our Forest School Leader runs regular sessions for a group of children in the nearby wildlife area where the children engage in fun, problem-solving, calculated risk-taking activities based on children's interests and ability.  The Forest school leader and supporting educators enable children to play and explore the enclosure, using their own ideas, giving suggestions, and adding resources so that the children can get the most out of their play. Reflection at the end of each session gives the children an opportunity to have a voice and say what they have enjoyed, what they found difficult and what they would like to do during the following sessions. The leader and educators also reflect on their own practice after each session and evaluates areas to improve.