Understanding Childcare in the UK
High-quality nurseries typically prioritise:
- Safe and supportive environments
- Qualified early years professionals
- Play-based, child-centred learning
- Stable routines that promote wellbeing
For many families, nurseries also provide reliable structure and care that supports a child’s growth and helps develop
essential early skills.
What Is a Forest School Nursery?
Forest school nurseries align with EYFS principles but focus on outdoor, nature-based learning. Whether in forests, parks, or purpose-built natural areas, children spend most of their day immersed in nature, regardless of the weather.
Forest schools promote:
- Curiosity through exploration
- Practical, hands-on learning experiences
- Child-led activities and free play
- Safe, supported risk-taking
Activities may include den building, nature walks, storytelling around a fire, or crafting with natural materials, creating rich, meaningful learning experiences.
How Forest Schools Support Child Development
1. Emotional Confidence and Resilience
Spending time outdoors teaches children to navigate challenges, solve problems, and build independence. Forest schools provide space for self-discovery and emotional growth from an early age.
2. Physical Development
Outdoor movement includes climbing, balancing, running and builds strength, coordination, and supports physical
health. These activities often prove more engaging than structured indoor exercise.
3. Social Skills and Communication
Forest school environments encourage collaboration, shared problem-solving, and respectful communication. Children learn to work as a team and support one another.
4. Cognitive and Creative Growth
Nature-based learning fuels imagination and deep thinking. Real-world exploration improves memory, encourages language
development, and promotes creative play.
5. Mental Wellbeing
Natural surroundings help reduce stress and encourage emotional regulation. Forest schools offer calm, mindful spaces that benefit young children’s mental health and emotional stability.
Forest Schools vs Traditional Nurseries
Both forest schools and traditional nurseries offer strong benefits. Increasingly, nurseries are blending both models to create well-rounded programmes.
Traditional nurseries often focus on:
- Consistent routines
- Building early literacy and numeracy skills
- Preparing children for classroom environments
Forest schools are known for:
- Boosting outdoor confidence and independence
- Strengthening emotional resilience
- Encouraging deep connections with nature
For many families, nurseries that incorporate forest school elements provide the best of both worlds.
Choosing the Right Nursery for Your Child
When assessing nursery options, parents should consider:
- Staff qualifications and child-to-adult ratios
- Outdoor access and the nursery’s educational approach
- How emotional and social development is supported
- Whether learning is child-led and play-focused
Visiting the setting and asking about individual child support can help
parents make a confident, informed decision.
Final Thoughts
Childcare in the UK has evolved to reflect that impactful learning extends beyond the classroom. Nurseries, particularly those inspired by forest school principles, play a central role in shaping capable, confident, and well-rounded children.
For those seeking a setting that supports holistic growth,
forest school nurseries offer a natural and rewarding path forward.