Bradford nursery gets closer to nature with stunning outdoor upgrade

Partou Woodlands Park Day Nursery in Apperley Bridge has expanded its Forest School provision after completing a major refurbishment programme designed to enrich children’s learning through nature, exploration and outdoor play.

Forest School settings offer a nature-based learning environment that enable children to spend much of the day outside instead of in the classroom.

The outdoor sessions are child-led with trained early years practitioners closely monitoring the children.

The outdoor classroom at Partou Woodlands Park has been fully updated, providing a safe and inspiring space for children to learn in all weathers.

A log burner has been installed to keep the area warm and welcoming during cooler months, allowing Forest School sessions to continue comfortably all year round.

The nursery has also invested in new Forest School resources, supporting activities such as den building, natural crafts, storytelling and teamwork.

A mansion building located within two acres of grounds, Partou Woodlands Park offers a unique early years experience for families in Apperley Bridge, Greengates and the surrounding area.

The setting was rated ‘Good’ in all areas of activity at its latest Ofsted inspection.

Amy Stockdale, Partou Woodlands Nursery Manager, said: “We are really excited about our new Forest School sessions. We believe that exploring natural environments is great for little learners.

“Helen, our Forest School Lead, has worked so hard from gaining her Level 3 for Forest School Leaders to the completion of our refurbishment, bringing lots of new ideas from her qualification and having a big input in the development and resources.

“The children will be particularly thrilled about our enhanced mud kitchen, which now includes a dedicated digging area to encourage sensory play, investigation and hands-on learning.”

Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said: “These are inspiring times for the families and team members at Woodlands Park.

“Forest School nurseries offer many benefits to young children including building confidence, resilience, independence and a strong connection to the natural world.

“We look forward to the new learning opportunities the upgrade will provide.”