Outdoor Learning

At Heath Lane Nursery School, we think some of the best learning happens under the open sky. Our outdoor learning spaces are designed to inspire creativity, curiosity, and confidence; every puddle, pebble, and petal becomes part of the adventure.

Our well-equipped playground encourages physical development, coordination, and teamwork. The mound is a favourite for exploring, rolling, and imaginative play. It offers a natural challenge for climbing and a new perspective on the world around them. Whether it’s climbing, sliding, running or swinging, it’s a space where children move freely and play joyfully.

Our magical treehouse invites big imaginations and little adventurers! It’s the perfect spot for storytelling, understanding the world, or just watching nature out of the windows. This quiet retreat is used for small group activities, offering a peaceful pause during busy outdoor adventures.

Through gardening, children learn to care for living things and watch the magic of growth unfold. From planting seeds to picking herbs, it nurtures patience, responsibility, and a connection to nature.

Messy play is learning at its finest! In our mud kitchen, children mix, pour, scoop and stir, building fine motor skills, imagination, and collaborative play. The sandpit is a sensory-rich environment for digging, pouring, shaping, and creating. In the potion lab, creativity bubbles over! Children explore textures, colours, and natural materials to create their own magical brews. It’s where science and storytelling collide. Our water play area encourages investigation and exploration, experimenting with flow, volume and motion.

Our construction area is a space for builders in the making. With blocks, crates, tools and loose parts, children design, build, problem-solve, and work together on big ideas. In the music cove, rhythm meets nature. With outdoor instruments and plenty of space to dance and sing, children express themselves through sound, movement, and song.

Most of all, we offer space to roam, wonder and discover. Our outdoor areas are open-ended, allowing children to follow their interests, lead their own learning, and grow in confidence in the great outdoors.