Childhood, Lived Outdoors
Nature-based early years education in Brislington, Stapleton and Downend
Imagine your child's day filled with muddy boots, woodland adventures, songs round the fire circle, and the kind of tired, happy face that only comes from a day spent outside. That's everyday life at Out There.
For over ten years we've been giving children aged 2½ to 5 a gentle, nurturing start to their learning, rooted in the natural world.
Why families choose us
Children learn best when they're free to explore.
Here, children walk, run, climb, dig, splash, swing, sing, read, think and play their way through the day. Forest School is at the heart of everything we do, and it builds the things that matter most at this age: confidence, resilience, curiosity, and the ability to manage risk and solve problems for themselves.
More than just the woods.
Alongside Forest School, children enjoy a rich, varied curriculum through the seasons: seasonal enquiries, cooking, allotment visits, local trips, music and singing, mindfulness, and plenty of time for free play.
Small, personal and unique.
Each of our three kindergartens has its own character, from its "base camp" (our registered site) to the woodlands and green spaces we explore and the rhythm of its day. Our experienced team know every child well and give them the calm, supportive environment they need to thrive.
Ready for their next steps in life
Confident
When a child climbs a tree for the first time, balances across a log or helps light the fire, they discover what they're capable of. Every small success outdoors builds belief in themselves, and that confidence goes with them into the classroom and beyond.
Resilient
Muddy knees, a slippery bank, a den that falls down: out in nature, things don't always go to plan, and that's part of the learning. With our team alongside them, children learn to try again, to cope with challenges, and to keep going when something feels tricky.
Independent
From putting on their own waterproofs to choosing what to explore next, children are trusted to do things for themselves. We give them the time and space to manage small risks, make decisions and take care of their own needs, so they grow into capable, self-assured learners.
Sociable
Building a den, carrying a heavy log or planning an adventure takes teamwork. In our small, close-knit kindergartens, children learn to share, take turns, listen, negotiate and look out for one another, forming real friendships along the way.
Eager to learn
Nature is endlessly fascinating. Why do leaves change colour? Where do the worms go? What's hiding under that log? We follow children's curiosity through seasonal enquiries, cooking, allotment visits and plenty of free play, nurturing a love of learning that lasts well beyond their time with us.
How our days work
Term-time only, Monday to Thursday
Flexible drop-off from 8:00. The Kindie day runs 9:00 to 15:00
Collection anytime between 15:00 and 15:20
After Kindie from 15:30 to 17:30 on all days, for families who need longer hours
Ages 2½ to 5, including children who turn 2 years and 6 months during September
See admissions for full details →
Places are limited. Register your interest today
Because our kindergartens are small, spaces fill up. Register your interest now, and we'll be in touch to tell you more and arrange a chance to come and see us.
Select your site for our photo gallary and location-specific information.
Still curious? Feel free to explore the rest of our page to get to know us better.
Play, Explore, Imagine & Wonder.
“I believe that children are naturally curious and self-motivated to learn. So what better place to develop this curiosity than outside the traditional classroom, in the natural environment. What better place to be self-motivated than in a place where you can run freely, climb a tree, dig a hole, scale a mudslide, turn over a log. My ethos for the Out There Kindergarten is for it to be the place where children are free to play, explore, imagine and wonder at their leisure.
”
Out There was born out of a passion for outdoor learning. As early years educators, primary school teachers, Forest School leaders, and play workers, we have witnessed firsthand the benefits of children spending an increased amount of time outdoors in their natural environment: improved physical development, increased motivation and self-esteem, and a greater awareness of the natural world and our place within it.
We aim to combine the best aspects of all our educational experiences into something unique and special.
We want to strip back children’s preschool play experiences and move away from plastic toys, a kitchen or shop role-play area, and a designer outdoor space to see what children’s imaginations are capable of. Giant logs become rocket ships or sailing boats, sticks become wishing wands, and rope becomes a giant beanstalk.
We believe all children have the right to an outstanding, equal education. We are inclusive and want to ensure every child can access our provision and learning outdoors.
“ I am so inspired by Out There Kindergarten and know that my child is very happy there. One day just wasn’t enough so he now attends all three days. ”
Parents whose children attend our setting have commented on how happy their children seem, how calm they are when get back from their day and how excited they are to come back again. The smallness of the setting allows for very special and positive relationships to form. There are just enough children for children to have a wide group of friends but we are small enough to offer that extra nurturing to each child.
“Our preschool applies Forest School principals and practices, as well as Reggio, Rudolf Steiner and Maria Montessori approaches to learning and development.”
Take the first step towards enrolling your child at Out There Kindergartens.
Click below to find out more about our registration process and how to express your interest. On the next page, you’ll discover all the details and can easily register your child for a place or join our waiting list.
Or, keep reading below to learn more about us and what makes our kindergarten special.
Early Years Foundation Stage / Development and Learning
As experienced practitioners, we are really excited about planning for your child’s learning and development and think very carefully about delivering the early years curriculum in an outdoor setting. Our curriculum, planning and resources are very child-led, as we follow each child on their individual learning journey.
We plan and assess for the seven areas of learning and development, as set out in Development Matters in the EYFS.
Communication and Language
Physical Development
Emotional and Social Wellbeing
Literacy - reading and writing
Maths
Expressive Art and Design
Understanding the World
Our holistic approach means that these seven areas of learning are embedded into our daily structure and routine, our indoor and outdoor environments, our carefully chosen resources, the adult-guided activities and the child-initiated play.
A 'typical' DAY AT OUT THERE
You might say there is no typical day, as every day is unique and special. However, we do have certain routines and structures that will benefit your child and prepare them for what comes after preschool. These routines include daily wake and shake, circle time, snack time in key groups and reflection time at the end of the day. These are times when your child is most likely to sit and spend valuable time with their key person and peers. They will begin to build up their skills in communication and language and emotional and social wellbeing.
How we spend our day also depends on the time of year and the weather. If the weather permits, we like to register children outside. At any point throughout the year, we have the option to go indoors, but even when it's very windy, too wet or cold, we still like to get outside every day of the year.
Arrival
Children can arrive between 8.00 and 9.00. This allows for working parents to drop off at a time that is more convenient for them. Children usually get stuck into playing on arrival as we wait for everyone to arrive. Children have access to various resources; sensory play, small world, mark making, arts and crafts, loose parts, role play etc.
Going off-site
This is a big part of what we do and varies according to the season. We aim to go off site every day though the reality of the weather sometimes hinders this. In the Spring and Summer, we sometimes head out for the day and take packed lunch with us. In the Autumn/Winter it makes much more sense to shorten our outings to mornings only and then head back to base camp for lunch. We are lucky that our base camps have outdoor areas that enable lots of different types of play as well as having a suitable indoor space.
Snack time and lunchtime
We provide a healthy, organic mid-morning snack. Snack time is taken in key groups, allowing some quality time for children to bond with their key person and in their key groups.
At lunchtime, children enjoy a packed lunch (provided by you). Lunchtimes are lovely and calm and a chance to reflect on the morning experiences.
The end of the day
We finish our day with some quiet time, where children can relax and unwind with stories, music, yoga and mindfulness. Parents can collect anytime from 15.00 (or earlier by prior arrangement).
OUR EDUCATIONAL ETHOS
We know how many parents recognise the value alternative learning approaches can bring, as do we. Our preschool applies Forest School principles and practices as well as Reggio, Rudolf Steiner and Maria Montessori's approaches to learning and development. You can find out more about our vision and ethos here.
Forest Schools
Though we try to avoid being labelled a Forest School we looks to the philosophy of Forest Schools to guide us in our approach. This is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences. Forest School activities offer children the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly, to use their own initiative to solve problems and work with others.
Steiner Waldorf
The future development of each individual child depends on health-giving experiences in the first seven years of life. An atmosphere of loving warmth and guidance that promotes joy, wonder, and reverence supports such healthy development. The most essential aspect is the inner attitude of the educator, who provides an example for the child to imitate. Therefore Waldorf educators must engage in an ongoing process of research and self-education, including anthroposophical study, meditative practice, and artistic and practical activity.
Montessori
Dr Montessori saw that children learn best by ‘doing’ and that happy, self-motivated learners form positive images of themselves as confident, successful people. The Montessori approach is holistic and aims to develop the whole child. Fundamental to the approach is the belief that a child's early years, from birth to six, are the period when they have the greatest capacity to learn.
our DIFFERENT OUTDOOR SITES
The slideshow below shows you some photos of the amazing green spaces that we have access to.
Click on any picture above to browse our photos
