Natural Thinkers

Natural Thinkers at Our Nursery

At our nursery, we proudly follow the Natural Thinkers approach—an outdoor learning programme designed to help children connect with nature through rich, hands‑on experiences that support wellbeing, communication and language, resilience, and curiosity.

The programme supports practitioners in teaching the curriculum outdoors using accessible, low‑cost activities while promoting child development across areas such as communication, personal and social development and environmental awareness.

How We Use Natural Thinkers in Our Nursery

Our staff team completed Natural Thinkers training in September 2023, and since then we have embedded its principles into our everyday practice and curriculum. This includes:

• Planning regular nature‑based activities across all areas of learning
• Encouraging children to explore plants, weather, wildlife, and natural materials
• Supporting wellbeing through outdoor sensory experiences
• Providing opportunities for risk‑taking, problem‑solving, and imaginative play outdoors
• Helping children develop early environmental responsibility, including caring for plants and understanding seasonal changes

Through this approach, we aim to nurture confident, curious, and environmentally aware children who develop a lifelong connection with the natural world.