"The well-qualified staff plan creative and exciting activities in the expansive outdoor space. Children benefit from taking part in challenging games that develop their physical skills. Their confidence grows as they take risks and master new skills, such as scrambling over ropes or climbing trees. Children have a deep understanding of the natural world. For example, they learn to respect other living things, such as animals and plants, as they investigate natural habitats in the woods." - Ofsted, June 2019.

Our gardens & outdoor space

The 'Little garden'

This space directly outside the room doors is our 'little garden', where children can freely access the barked area for a wide range of free play and structured activities. We have a hand made mud kitchen, bug hotel, picnic benches, planters, sandpit, willow tunnel and are in the process of building a sheltered outdoor classroom.

As well as lots of play equipment and ride-on toys we are currently developing a sectioned off sensory garden for small grouped focused sessions and baby outdoor sensory experiences.
The 'Big garden'

This large playing field is home to various bikes and trikes for the children to ride and race on. We have outdoor benches and seating for drawing and reading and use the space for a good run around to expel some of that energy!

We are keen recyclers and have acquired lots of pallets, giant tires, old guttering and other resources which we use for den building, water ways, and making our own structures, such as our huge pallet pirate ship for the children to climb on and walk the plank! 

The Vineyard & Beyond

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Not only do we explore the surrounding vineyard each day, but the children also visit the local village. Whether it’s going to the shop or local farmers market to buy ingredients for cooking, or stopping off at the playground for a go on the swings and slide.

There is lots of countryside to explore as well, with sheep and horses to visit. We never pass up the chance to hunt for the vineyard dragon, or look for the Gruffalo and his friends in the woods, all whilst trying to avoid the crocodile that lives in the river!

And when the weather is nice we like to take a picnic with us, go pond dipping at the gravel pit or build a den to role-play in. ​

We also take part in daily Forest School sessions within the grounds of a private home nearby. See our Forest School page for more information.