Natural Classroom

By Kimberly Lawson Your mental health and wellbeing matters and I remember when I was striving to be a successful early years practitioner I would attend courses, read books and reflect on my teaching daily in setting. Yet none of this had the impact I desired when I didn’t have the tools I needed to look after my own mental...

Bamboo is used to make a huge range of products these days from toothbrushes to textiles and our popular bamboo resources such as water chutes and channeling, sorting trays and counting pots. But how sustainable is Bamboo? It can be harvested in 3 years so is relatively fast-growing compared to trees which can be from 10-20 years. This makes it...

Adding a woodwork area to your setting can be a wonderful way to inspire play and learning in a fun, hands on way. The nature of woodwork means that children are engaged in a rich, sensory experience which impacts on the holistic development of the child. Getting started... Firstly, communication with everyone involved is a good starting point. It's important...

Getting outdoors to explore nature is a vital part of early years education, and childhood as a whole. A well-planned learning environment, indoors and outside, is an important aspect of pedagogy. It can be as simple as grabbing your wellies and going on a bug hunt. Renowned educator Charlotte Mason shares that you should ‘never be indoors when you could...

Wonderful Wicker! Creating a natural, cosy classroom or setting can be so beneficial to the well-being of both children and staff alike. Adding wicker elements helps to break up the space, creating a more cosy, natural environment. From our cosy wicker pods and dens to a wicker archway - both can be staple pieces in creating a more natural space...