At Hidden Valley Outdoor Nursery, our learning approach is shaped by a simple idea: children learn best through meaningful experiences outside, surrounded by nature. Every day is built around exploration, play and real life problem solving, allowing children to develop confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning.
Child led learning
Children follow their own interests, choosing what to investigate and how to engage with the environment around them. Whether they are building dens, experimenting with natural materials or working together on a shared idea, their curiosity drives the learning. Our practitioners observe closely, stepping in with support or challenge when it will deepen a child's thinking or open up a new opportunity.
Learning through real experience
Outdoors, everything is hands on. Children use their whole bodies and all their senses to understand the world. Climbing, balancing, digging, categorising, counting, storytelling, negotiating and imagining all happen naturally throughout the day. These experiences build strong foundations across physical, social and cognitive development.
A calm, nurturing environment in nature
Being outdoors provides a peaceful, grounding space where children can feel settled, secure and emotionally held. The gentle sights, sounds and rhythms of nature help prevent children from feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated, allowing them to regulate themselves more easily. This calm environment supports deeper engagement and helps children approach each day with confidence and curiosity.
Open ended authentic materials from nature
Nature provides endless open ended materials such as sticks, stones, shells, leaves, water and mud, all ready to be explored in whatever way children choose. Because these resources have no fixed purpose, they encourage imagination, problem solving and creative thinking. Children learn to adapt materials to their own ideas, developing flexibility and independence as they explore at their own pace.
Open ended resources empower children to make decisions, follow their interests and become intrinsically motivated learners who take ownership of their play.
Process driven learning
We place strong value on the process rather than the product. The focus is on experimenting, testing ideas, discovering possibilities and revisiting challenges, not on creating something finished. When children are free to explore without pressure, they develop resilience, perseverance and genuine joy in learning. This process led approach strengthens their ability to think deeply, take risks and celebrate their own progress.
Guided support from skilled practitioners
Our team provides gentle structure, clear routines and purposeful interactions. We ask open questions, model language, help children reflect on their ideas and guide them through risk and challenge safely. We introduce new concepts and vocabulary in ways that connect directly to what the children are doing, making learning relevant and memorable.
A balance of freedom and routine
While children have plenty of choice, the day also follows a rhythm that helps them feel secure. Gathering times, shared meals, rest moments and reflective circles help children connect with one another, reset and prepare for the next experience.
Learning in all weathers
Our outdoor first approach means children experience the seasons in real time. They learn how the environment changes, how to adapt and how to persist. On colder or wetter days our basecamp offers warmth and comfort, but the learning remains rooted in the outdoors.
Preparing children for school and for life
Through outdoor learning children develop communication, resilience, creativity, teamwork and problem solving skills. These abilities support early literacy and numeracy as well as personal and social growth. Most importantly, they learn to be confident, capable learners who approach challenges with enthusiasm.
