outdoor spaces for discovery & play
Exploring the wonderful world outdoors with Westerham Day Nursery and Pre-school
Outdoor play encourages physical and emotional development
At Westerham Day Nursery and Pre-school, we believe that movement and exercise are paramount in a child’s development. Current guidelines state that children of pre-school age who are capable of walking should be physically active for at least 3 hours a day. Physically active play can help to safeguard children by promoting their good health and general well-being.
Encouraging outdoor play gives your child the opportunity to learn and grow in a healthy way by contributing to a healthy weight, improving bone health and developing movement and co-ordination. It also supports children’s learning of social skills and taking acceptable risks. Our outdoor spaces allow the children to experience diverse surroundings as they explore, play, participate in projects, use basic tools, and see the seasons and nature up-close.
adventure play
Our Adventure Play area includes a range of wooden structures to support the development of gross motor skills such as climbing, balancing and crawling. Exciting wooden structures such as the pirate ship, caravan and den support imaginative play, role playing and social skills.
mud, Sand and water
In our main garden area the children have access to a large, covered, sand pit with tools, trucks and buckets. The Bumblebees children also have their own age-appropriate sandpit. We have a large mud kitchen with pots and pans and a selection of natural resources. This area overlooks a bird feeding station. We also have a water table and cascades area. These sensory areas encourage creativity and collaboration among peers.
gardening and growing
Our growing area allows children to try their hand at gardening: planting seeds and watching them grow into flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables. Not only does this support their development of scientific knowledge and sensory experiences, but it also encourages children to try new foods and acquire new vocabulary.
the orchard
Our Orchard area was planted by the Butterfly children in 2023 and includes apple, pear, cherry and plum trees. In 2024, the children added a wildlife-friendly hedge.
In years to come we hope the children will be able to support us in caring for the trees and harvesting the fruit. The area is also used for outdoor stories and circle time.
Loose Parts
Our Garden area is full of resources which will captivate children's imagination. This includes a wide selection of loose parts for building, engineering, problem solving and creativity. As well as building core strength and fine and gross motor skills. These resources are the perfect opportunity for children to develop teamwork and communication skills.
Contact Us
Our children love exploring the garden, growing their own fruit and veg, and playing with loose parts! Come and see for yourself.
01959 565969