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Nurseries

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Original poster

How important is outside space at a nursery?

12 replies

shopafrolic · 30/04/2012 14:56

I went to visit a small Montessori nursery today in Hertfordshire. It seemed like a nice environment, quite a calming atmosphere, happy children and the staff were really friendly and attentive with my DS who is 15 months old. The building has a small grassed area to the side with some wooden seats and a raised flower bed where the children plant seeds but there are no outside play things - swings / slides etc. The staff take the children to the nearby park. I was just wondering whether those of you who have children at nursery would view this as an issue.
Thanks in advance!

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ReallyTired · 30/04/2012 14:59

I think a lot depends on how many hours you intend to send your son for. If the attendence is very part time then I think the lack of outside space is not a great issue. If you are looking for full time then a decent outside area is essential.

AceOfBase · 30/04/2012 15:01

If they go to the park I wouldn't be bothered. If they never went outside then I would look elsewhere

FunnyBird · 30/04/2012 15:05

The children at my dd's nursery go on little outings all the time. They have a tiny outdoor space, but make the most of it. They close off the car park and let the kids out there for activities. DD seems to have spent a lot of time outside last week, given how rainy it was. They were pouring the rain water into different containers and measuring it and stuff. Note in her diary says she enjoying splashing in puddles. You can do a lot with a little space. And I think outdoor space at Herts nurseries is difficult to find.

doormat · 30/04/2012 15:10

as a nursery nurse with a small garden setting...it can be used for allsorts..all it takes is imagination eg bathing dolls/clothes..hanging the clothes to dry/ water/sand play/ bug hunts/ treasure hunts/ list goes on...

i found when working for nurseries with bigger gardens, the workers used to chat to eachother and let the kids run around without really interacting with them..but that is imo experience

do what you feel is right for your child but dont be put off by size of garden

TiggyD · 30/04/2012 17:38

Be put off by the size of garden. Gardens are wonderful things. So much more relaxing than parks because you can control everything.

ReallyTired · 01/05/2012 09:56

I see no harm in nursery workers talking to each other. Its modelling conversation. DD's nursery is in herts and it has an amazing garden.

"You can do a lot with a little space. And I think outdoor space at Herts nurseries is difficult to find."

I disagree.

Where in herts are you? I know several nurseries near me with fab outside spaces.

Sirzy · 02/05/2012 08:30

Ds currently goes to a nursery with a small outdoor space. As good as it is he is moving nurseries in september and the new one has a massive outdoor space which is great as it means so many more opportunities for fun!

Iggly · 02/05/2012 08:35

Ds goes to nursery two mornings a week with no outdoor space at all. However I don't mind as it's only two morning and they do take them to the park whenever they can. I wouldn't send him there if it was any longer though.

He's starting pre school in September which is based within a park and has its own enclosed garden as well. I'm looking forward to it as ds will love the constant access to the outdoors (he always wants to go in the garden in rain, wind or shine!).

So I think outdoor space is important. How were the kids playing in it? Can they go out in all weathers? Children are surprisingly resourceful at entertaining themselves outdoors without swings etc.

Tweetinat · 02/05/2012 08:37

Is this Montessori in n herts almost s Cambs?

Original poster

shopafrolic · 09/05/2012 11:47

Hi - just checked back after a while away - thanks for all the comments. I live near Harpenden in Herts in one of the villages -this nursery is 10 mins away from home. I went back there yesterday and all the children were playing outside and had planted some seeds which they were excited to watch grow so I am feeling a little better about this now. There is also a playground just around the corner so I think they will be outside a fair amount. DS is starting in June for two mornings a week so fingers crossed. It is so hard to know what is right to do, I'm going with gut instinct and the fact that he has seemed really happy playing there while I've been talking with the staff.......

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splashymcsplash · 09/05/2012 18:53

My dd goes to a nursery with tiny outdoor space but as long as they are taken a lot to parks I didn't see it as so much of an issue. I live in London where some nurseries have no outdoor space at all. Loved the nursery so was prepared to compromise.

wonkylegs · 09/05/2012 19:01

I wouldn't pick a nursery on the size of it's outside space but having said that DS's has 2 massive gardens, a baby's one(under 2) and a general one which has huge glazed walls that open the main room, dining room and middle room out to the garden in summer. When it's nice they practically live outside, and tgey spend a fair amount of time the rest of the year too. They have split the garden into a big seating bit for stories, a sandpit and water area, an obstacle course, climbing frames, dens and an allotment (I love it esp as we have a postage stamp garden at home) they also take them out to the play park and country park for a bit of variety.

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