Our Gardens

At our nursery, we recognise that the garden is an extension of the indoor classroom and plays a vital role in supporting children’s learning and development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

We provide age-appropriate outdoor spaces to ensure all children can explore safely and confidently:

  • Our Baby Garden - 0–2 years supports early exploration, movement and sensory experiences in a secure environment.

  • Our large outdoor areas for children aged 2 years and over offer a rich learning environment that promotes active play, curiosity and independence.

The outdoor environment supports children’s understanding of the natural world, allowing them to experience weather, living things, and everyday environmental changes. Children are encouraged to use their senses to explore what they can see, hear, smell, and feel, supporting learning within Understanding the World.

We incorporate real-life experiences into outdoor play, particularly within our construction area. Resources such as mini diggers, wheelbarrows, foam bricks, high-visibility jackets, and construction hats support imaginative play, problem-solving, and communication and language. Our outdoor mud kitchen further enhances creativity and role play, giving children opportunities to explore materials, textures, and cause and effect.

To promote Physical Development, children have access to climbing equipment, balance beams, bikes, and scooters, helping them to develop strength, coordination, and control. We also support children’s understanding of personal safety through road safety activities, using zebra crossings, road signs, and cones to teach how to keep safe when outdoors.

Our outdoor reading den provides a calm and inviting space where children can relax and enjoy books, supporting Literacy, listening skills, and a love of reading.

Through carefully planned and child-led outdoor experiences, we aim to support all seven areas of learning:

  • Communication and Language

  • Physical Development

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development

  • Literacy

  • Mathematics

  • Understanding the World

  • Expressive Arts and Design

We provide opportunities for risky play in a supportive and well-managed way, enabling children to build confidence, resilience, and independence while ensuring their individual needs are met.

Outdoor play is not simply an opportunity for children to expend energy; it is a crucial part of the EYFS, supporting children’s holistic development and giving every child the opportunity to learn, explore, and succeed.