Playing and learning outside improves children’s physical and emotional wellbeing and the experience has been shown to be hugely beneficial for children with a range of emotional and developmental needs. Rather than using classroom resources and equipment, children can use natural materials found in the woodland and enjoy activities such as collecting sticks and leaves, tying knots, making dens, handling tools, using twigs to write in the mud, climbing trees, jumping across stones and building fires. With this in mind we want to create a ‘nature school’ within our infant academy. The school will have a beach area with rocks and tree trunks, an outdoor classroom, a stone fire pit with log seating and natural dens and tunnels. Children will have the opportunity to attend regular sessions at nature school over a long period of time.

What we'll deliver:

• Install an outdoor classroom to provide warmth and shelter and be a base to further explore outdoor learning.
• Create a beach area to spark intrinsic motivations to explore, create and be curious about the world.
• Build a fire pit so children can develop their gross and fine motor skills whilst learning how to manage risk
• Provide den building opportunities to learn about team work, problem solving, mathematics, creativity and communication.

Why it's a great idea:

We believe the creation of ‘nature school’ will be a great opportunity for children to explore the outdoor environment, develop a connection with nature and improve a whole range of skills from personal, social and emotional, to physical development and communication and language skills.

Steps to get it done:

• Outdoor classroom to be installed
• Creation of various areas to support learning
• Children to start accessing Nature School