Outdoor Environment

Outdoor play is a critical element in a child’s holistic development and supports the prime areas and specific areas of learning in the EYFS. St Paul’s childcare has a large garden split into different areas which includes a mud kitchen, large sandpit, climbing frames and slides and a natural play area for the children to investigate and build on their learning. Each day the children also have access to bikes, cars, hula hoops, ball games and lots more.

Learning Hub

Our outdoor learning hub classroom provides a cosy undercover area for all of the children to enjoy, rain or shine. This spacious hub has all the elements of an indoor classroom and incorporates natural resources connecting learning to the outside world around them.

Forest School

Forest school is an outdoor, nature-based learning approach to enable children to investigate, test their ideas, maintain curiosity, develop confidence and a deep connection to their natural environment.

Each classroom within our nursery has a weekly Forest school session. Children enjoy building dens, molding with clay and exploring their natural environment. These sessions are focused on child-centered learning and enabling children to discover at their own pace. Children are taught to assess and manage risks to build confidence and resilience during play.

Planting Area

Our garden area has four raised planters for the children to enjoy regular gardening sessions to enable them to learn the importance of caring for plants. We will also grow seasonal fruits and vegetables which the children can enjoy at snack time to encourage healthy eating and understand where their food comes from.