The Outdoors
”Let nature be your teacher”William Wordsworth
At Sunshine Montessori, we believe that nature is one of the greatest teachers. Research consistently shows that outdoor learning supports language development, emotional wellbeing, physical health, and a deeper connection to the world around us. The outdoors offers endless opportunities for children to explore, discover, question, and reflect. From babies feeling the texture of leaves to preschoolers asking why one leaf is green and another brown, nature sparks genuine curiosity and wonder. Being outside isn’t an added extra—it’s an essential part of how we support children to learn, grow, and thrive.
Our Approach
Our outdoor spaces are an extension of our classrooms, offering children the freedom to observe, investigate, move, and play in a rich and stimulating environment. We use nature to inspire thinking and conversation—whether that’s noticing colours and patterns, exploring textures, or listening to the sounds of the world around us.
Children are encouraged to ask questions and engage all their senses in meaningful exploration. For younger children, this might mean rubbing bark, crumbling soil, or collecting natural treasures, while older children begin to make observations and ask scientific questions about what they see.
We also use outdoor learning to teach children how to assess and manage risk in a positive and empowering way. With skilled adult support, they learn how to recognise what’s safe to climb or balance on and what might be unsafe—developing both confidence and judgment. Activities like balancing on low ropes or stepping across tree stumps build not only physical strength and coordination but also resilience, focus, and problem-solving.
Through daily outdoor experiences—at Forest School, on walks, in the allotment, or simply in our outdoor classroom spaces—we give children the chance to build independence, self-awareness, and a lifelong love of nature.
Have a glimpse…
of some of the fun we have at forest school.
Our Allotment – Growing Minds and Meals
Our nursery allotment is a truly special part of life at Sunshine Montessori. Just a short walk away, it offers children the chance to connect with nature in the most meaningful, hands-on way—by growing, tending, and harvesting real food.
Children are involved in every stage of the process: from digging the soil and planting seeds to watering, weeding, and eventually harvesting the fruits (and vegetables!) of their labour. Whether it’s pulling up potatoes, spotting the first strawberry, or collecting herbs for a group snack, each moment is packed with learning.
Time spent at the allotment supports physical development, encourages teamwork and patience, and provides rich opportunities for early science, numeracy, and responsibility. It also helps children understand where their food comes from and the care it takes to grow it—fostering a deep respect for the environment and healthy eating habits.
Our Muddy Chefs programme ties in beautifully with our allotment work, as children get the chance to use what they’ve grown in simple cooking and tasting activities back at nursery.
The allotment isn’t just a patch of land—it’s a living classroom, a place of pride, and a quiet corner of the world where children can slow down, dig deep, and grow strong.
