The Great Outdoors: At the Heart of KatieB Kids
“The best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky.”
At KatieB Kids, outdoor play isn’t an “extra” — it’s at the very heart of our ethos. As a Reggio-inspired nursery, we know children express themselves in many ways, and we see daily how their wellbeing, curiosity, and engagement soar when they are outdoors. A recent study by Kiddi Caru revealed that many children get just three hours or less outside each week. At KatieB Kids, we know the value of outdoor play and make sure our children get far more — because the benefits for learning, health, and happiness are extraordinary.
Why Outdoor Play Matters
“Most of what children need to learn during their early childhood cannot be taught; it’s discovered through play.”
Outdoor play offers children the space to move, imagine, and create. It strengthens both fine and gross motor skills, builds social confidence, and nurtures empathy as children learn to collaborate, share, and respect one another.
Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with better health and wellbeing — and our children enjoy far more than that. With the freedom of the outdoors, we see children’s stories come alive: they design and build dens, invent games, create whole worlds, and solve problems together. This freedom fosters independence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning, while also encouraging respect for nature and a sense of belonging in their community.
This is why we see the outdoors not just as a place to play, but as a vital part of every child’s learning journey.
Beyond Physical Play: Outdoor Classrooms
Our gardens are true outdoor classrooms. From storytelling under the trees to construction play in the mud kitchen, every area of the curriculum comes alive outside.
We’ve observed that children’s concentration and emotional wellbeing are often higher outdoors, where nature itself provides endless provocations for learning. Being outside also supports healthy sleep, with daylight helping children’s natural body clocks reset — making it easier for them to follow consistent rest routines.
Out and about: Learning in our community
As well as regular access to our nursery gardens, at KatieB Kids we place huge value on the learning opportunities that come from exploring the wider community.
For our babies, this might mean a trip in the four-seater buggy to Hesketh Park or Stone Recreation Ground. For older children, it could be a walk to a local playground or a visit to see the horses on Cotton Lane.
So, what additional benefits can outings offer that garden play can’t?
Community Connections – children feel rooted in their local community, building relationships (like befriending the dog of a local jogger) and making sense of the world around them.
Hands-On Experiences – outings extend learning, giving children interactive opportunities before, during, and after the trip.
Curiosity and Inspiration – a digger on the road or a tall tower can spark new fascinations, stories, and imaginative play back at nursery.
Social and Emotional Growth – outings build confidence, independence, and social skills in real-world settings.
Healthy Living – walks in all weathers encourage physical activity, resilience, and the joy of fresh air.
Respect for Nature – seeing animals, trees, and wildlife in the local area fosters environmental awareness.
Practical Life Skills – outings are a safe and meaningful way to introduce road safety, routines, and responsibility.
Cultural Capital – new sights and experiences enrich children’s knowledge, perspectives, and sense of identity.
Above all, outings are stimulating and fun. Children return with a real sense of adventure — eager to share their discoveries with parents and peers, reinforcing learning and building pride in their experiences.
Embracing Risk Safely
“The more risks you allow children to take, the better they learn to take care of themselves. ”
The outdoors naturally invites “risky play,” and we believe this is vital for children’s development. With clear boundaries, trust, and careful dynamic risk assessments, children learn to rise to challenges and build competence.
Our educators continually observe, adapt, and manage the environment so children can safely explore, test limits, and grow in confidence — developing both responsibility and resilience.
Forest School: A Deeper Connection with Nature
For our eldest children — our Oak group — we run a dedicated accredited Forest School programme as part of the preschool curriculum. These sessions, led by skilled qualified Forest School practitioners, help children develop emotional intelligence, confidence, and resilience while connecting deeply with the natural world.
Activities include:
Safe tool use
Fire-lighting and wild cooking
Nature-based games
Open-ended play and exploration
Children are gradually introduced to new skills and challenges, learning to think critically, solve problems, and embrace creativity. Over time, they gain the confidence to carry out activities independently — building essential skills for school readiness and beyond.
Seasonal Adventures: Learning Through the Year
Each term, our Oak children explore a themed outdoor curriculum that blends imagination, sustainability, and real-world skills:
Autumn Term: Fairy Gardens for Woodland Folk
A magical adventure where children create fairy houses, mix natural potions, whittle sticks into wands, and enjoy lantern walks and wild cooking. Imagination takes centre stage, fostering creativity and wonder.
Spring Term: Connecting with Nature
Children become budding environmentalists, composting kitchen scraps, planting seeds, feeding birds, and exploring big questions about caring for nature. Curiosity is paired with responsibility and compassion.
Summer Term: Farm to Fork
From planting vegetables to wild cooking, children learn where food comes from and how it grows. They experience the joy of harvesting their own produce, visit farms, and gain an early understanding of sustainability and nutrition.
Outdoor Play, Lifelong Benefits
From trips to the playground, imaginative play in our gardens to Forest School adventures, the outdoors at KatieB Kids nurtures the whole child — socially, physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.
At KatieB Kids, we couldn’t agree more with Ranulph Fiennes. We head out in all weathers (unless unsafe), because each season, each day, brings its own opportunities to explore, discover, and grow.
Whether it’s puddle jumping on a rainy day, building dens with friends, or planting vegetables in summer, our children gain confidence, resilience, and joy. They develop habits of curiosity, care for the world around them, and the independence to thrive at school and beyond.
“There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”
