At Goslings Nursery, we believe childhood should be full of discovery, joy, and natural exploration. As an established outdoor play nursery in London, our approach places little learners at the centre of every experience. Outdoor play offers children the space to grow, build confidence, and learn through hands-on encounters with nature. It encourages physical growth, emotional wellbeing, and early skills that last a lifetime.
We’ll explore the power of outdoor play in early childhood learning, the growing importance of nature-rich environments, and why outdoor learning is essential in a busy city like London.
Why Outdoor Play Matters in Early Childhood Learning
Outdoor play has been proven to support all areas of a child’s development. From building stronger muscles to improving communication skills, the outdoors creates endless opportunities for learning.
Research from leading early years experts highlights that children who play outside regularly show better problem-solving skills, stronger physical development, and improved emotional regulation. The fresh air, natural light, and open space allow children to express themselves freely.
Moreover, outdoor play promotes curiosity, one of the most powerful drivers of learning at any age.
How Outdoor Play Supports Confidence
When children climb, run, balance, and explore, they learn how to trust their bodies. They begin to understand risks in a safe way. They also feel a sense of achievement when they master new challenges.
These experiences help them feel capable and brave. That confidence often carries into classroom learning too.
Outdoor Play Nursery London: A Safe Space to Explore
As a trusted outdoor play nursery London, Goslings Nursery places outdoor learning at the heart of our curriculum. Our garden and outdoor spaces are designed to help children explore freely while staying safe.
We create a warm and inviting space that encourages children to follow their curiosity. Whether they are searching for insects, playing with water, gardening, or engaging in imaginative games, they are learning new skills every day.
Creating a Calm and Natural Learning Environment
Nature has a calming effect on children. The sounds, textures, and colours help them regulate their emotions. Outdoor spaces also reduce stress and support positive mental wellbeing.
Children who play outdoors often show improved concentration, better emotional balance, and more independence when interacting with others.
The Benefits of Outdoor Play for Toddlers
The benefits of outdoor play toddlers enjoy are countless. During the toddler years, children experience rapid growth. Their bodies and brains are developing at an amazing pace.
Outdoor environments give toddlers exactly what they need, movement, sensory experiences, and open-ended play.
Key Benefits:
- Improved balance and coordination
- Stronger fine and gross motor skills
- Better sleep and appetite
- Enhanced language development
- Higher social confidence
- More creativity during play
Toddlers often learn best when they are active. Outdoor play encourages natural learning through play, effort, and repetition.
Nature Learning Nursery: Connecting Children with the Natural World
As a nature learning nursery, we aim to create strong connections between children and the environment. Nature offers unique experiences that help develop curiosity, resilience, and imagination.
From planting seeds to observing the changing seasons, children learn how nature works. They also learn to care for plants, wildlife, and their surroundings.
Why Nature Learning Matters in Early Childhood
Nature is a living classroom. Children develop observational skills, learn early science concepts, and grow a deeper understanding of the world around them.
This type of learning is essential for building compassionate and environmentally conscious future citizens.
Garden Play Activities That Inspire Imagination
Our garden provides a wonderful space for children to explore daily garden play activities. These activities help build physical strength, spark imagination, and support social play. To learn more about what makes our setting special, visit Why Choose Goslings Nursery.
Examples of Garden Play Activities We Use:
- Digging and planting
- Water play
- Sensory exploration with sand, mud, and natural materials
- Climbing and balancing
- Simple obstacle courses
- Outdoor role play
- Nature-themed treasure hunts
These activities are not just enjoyable, they help children develop essential life skills.
EYFS Physical Development and Outdoor Learning
The EYFS physical development framework highlights the importance of movement, coordination, and physical confidence. Outdoor play directly supports these goals.
The Early Years Foundation Stage encourages settings to offer children daily opportunities for active, outdoor play. This ensures they build strong muscles, good motor control, and healthy habits.
How Outdoor Play Supports EYFS Physical Goals:
- Encourages children to move freely
- Builds strength and stamina
- Helps children understand spatial awareness
- Supports hand-eye coordination
- Improves balance and stability
Outdoor environments give children space to practise these skills naturally.
The Role of Outdoor Play in Language Development
Children communicate more when playing outdoors. They talk about what they see, hear, and feel. They describe their actions, ask questions, and share ideas with friends.
This type of communication strengthens vocabulary and early language development.
Outdoor play also encourages imaginative play. Children create stories, role-play characters, and use descriptive language. This builds strong foundations for reading and writing later on.
Building Social and Emotional Skills Through Outdoor Play
Playing outside helps children learn how to share, take turns, cooperate, and respect others. They often work together to solve problems or complete tasks, like building a den or working in the garden.
Outdoor spaces give children the chance to express emotions freely. They can run, jump, shout, or find a quiet corner to rest. These experiences help them understand themselves better.
Encouraging Independence and Decision-Making
Outdoor play encourages children to make choices. They decide where to go, what to explore, and how to use the materials around them. This builds independence and boosts confidence.
Over time, children become more willing to try new things. They also develop resilience when facing small challenges, such as climbing a new structure or balancing on a log.
Why Outdoor Play Is Essential in London Nurseries
Living in a vibrant city like London means children are surrounded by buildings, busy streets, and fast-paced environments. Access to natural spaces is incredibly valuable for their wellbeing.
An outdoor play nursery gives children the chance to slow down, breathe fresh air, and connect with nature every day. Even a small garden can make a big difference.
Outdoor play helps balance the busy city lifestyle with moments of calm, creativity, and exploration.
How Goslings Nursery Integrates Outdoor Play Daily
At Goslings Nursery, outdoor learning happens every day. Children spend time in our garden in all seasons. They learn to appreciate the beauty of nature throughout the year.
We also incorporate outdoor elements into our curriculum. Activities link to the EYFS framework, supporting communication, physical development, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
Our Outdoor Play Approach Includes:
- Child-led exploration
- Gardening and nature-based activities
- Movement and physical challenges
- Sensory play
- Team-building and social play
- Storytime and imaginative play outdoors
Each child receives support and encouragement from our caring team, ensuring they feel safe and confident.
The Science Behind Outdoor Learning: Why It Works
Experts from organizations such as the Forest School Association and National Trust have found that outdoor learning improves children’s mental health, physical wellbeing, and cognitive growth.
Studies show that children who spend time outdoors:
- have better concentration
- show improved memory and problem-solving
- are more active and healthier
- develop stronger emotional resilience
These findings confirm what early years professionals see daily, nature is one of the best teachers.
Encouraging Creative Thinking Outdoors
The outdoors is an open-ended environment. Unlike toys with fixed purposes, natural objects can become anything. A stick becomes a wand, a log becomes a car, and a leaf becomes a treasure.
This sparks imagination and helps children think creatively. Creative thinking is a key skill for early development and future learning success.
Why Families Love Outdoor Play at Goslings Nursery
Parents often tell us they see positive changes in their children after joining an outdoor play nursery. Children become more confident, more independent, and more curious about the world.
They are happier, calmer, and excited about learning. Outdoor play also helps children build friendships and improve social communication.
How You Can Support Outdoor Learning at Home
Outdoor play should continue beyond nursery. Families can support children’s development by encouraging simple outdoor activities at home.
Ideas for Home Outdoor Play:
- Walks in the park
- Nature scavenger hunts
- Gardening together
- Playing with water and sand
- Visiting local green spaces
These moments strengthen family bonds and support children’s learning.
Conclusion
Outdoor play is not just fun. It is a powerful educational tool. It helps children grow physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively. It builds strong foundations for future learning and supports healthy childhood development.
At Goslings Nursery, we are proud to be a trusted outdoor play nursery London families rely on for quality early education. Our nature-rich approach helps every child thrive.
To learn more or to arrange a visit, please Contact us now.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an outdoor play nursery?
It is a nursery where children learn through daily outdoor activities, nature play, and fresh-air exploration.
2. Why is outdoor play important for toddlers?
It boosts physical strength, confidence, balance, and natural curiosity while helping toddlers learn through movement.
3. How does outdoor learning support EYFS physical development?
Outdoor play encourages running, climbing, and balancing, which help children build coordination and strong motor skills.
4. Does outdoor play help with emotional wellbeing?
Yes. Being outdoors calms children, reduces stress, and supports positive emotional growth.
5. What types of garden play activities do children enjoy?
Children enjoy gardening, water play, digging, climbing, and imaginative outdoor games.