Outdoor Activity
Outdoor activities offer numerous benefits for children’s development and well-being. Here are some advantages of outdoor activities and how they can feature in their routine:
- Physical Health: Outdoor play allows children to engage in active movement, such as running, jumping, climbing, and cycling, which promotes physical fitness, coordination, and motor skill development.
- Cognitive Development: Outdoor environments provide rich sensory experiences, exposing children to a variety of sights, sounds, textures, and natural elements. This stimulates their senses and enhances cognitive development, including perception, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
- Social Skills: Outdoor play often involves interaction and cooperation with peers, promoting the development of social skills such as communication, sharing, turn-taking, and negotiation. It provides opportunities for children to build relationships, develop empathy, and learn to navigate social dynamics.
- Emotional Well-being: Being in nature and engaging in outdoor activities can have a positive impact on children’s emotional well-being. It offers a sense of freedom, connection with the natural world, and opportunities for exploration and self-expression, which can reduce stress, enhance mood, and foster a sense of happiness and calm.
- Creativity and Imagination: Outdoor settings provide a canvas for imaginative play and creativity. Natural elements, such as sand, water, rocks, and plants, can inspire children’s creativity and encourage them to invent stories, build imaginary worlds, and engage in open-ended play.
- Environmental Awareness: Outdoor activities foster an appreciation and understanding of the natural environment. Children can develop an ecological consciousness, learn about plants, animals, and ecosystems, and cultivate a sense of responsibility towards the environment.
Read more about outdoor play benefits at: Outdoor Play Benefits: Childcare Environment that Encourages Outdoor Activities
At Happy Chalet we incorporate outdoor activities into our routine:
- We schedule regular Outdoor Time and Plan dedicated periods in our daily routine for outdoor play and exploration. This could include activities like nature walks, playground visits, or games in the garden.
- We Provide Outdoor Play Opportunities and create an outdoor play area that is safe, stimulating, and accessible. We offer a variety of age-appropriate equipment, such as a muddy kitchen, a small football pitch, a tree house, a slide, climbing structures, and sand or water play areas.
- Nature-based Learning: we integrate nature-based learning experiences into our activities. This could involve observing insects, identifying plants, collecting natural materials, or engaging in gardening or planting projects.
- Seasonal Explorations: We embrace the changing seasons and plan activities that align with the natural elements and events occurring outdoors. This could include exploring leaves in the fall, making snowmen in winter, or observing blossoms in spring.
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 8 am - 6 pm
Nursery Calendar
Open for 50 out of 52 weeks of the year
Ofsted Registration
The Happy Chalet nursery is Ofsted registered
Disabled Access
Accessible to people with disabilities
Funding Support
Funded places available for 2 & 3 year olds
