Outdoor-led

Our learning spaces are repeatedly recognised as amongst the best nationally. Where most nurseries have just two, their indoors & garden, our idyllic locations give us access to a third: the wild Cheshire countryside and large parks. This enables us to enjoy each activity in the most meaningful environment.

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Indoors

Within characterful, spacious, well-maintained buildings, our welcoming indoor spaces promote calm learning, and are ideal for activities that require a clean or dry environment. Spaces are flexible to reflect children’s interests, igniting their curiosity. Extensive learning resources, from 3D printers to open ended loose parts, stimulate imaginations – inspiring children to play and learn.

Our nurseries

Garden

Enchanting spaces for children to play, hide and explore, our large fully enclosed gardens are ideal for outdoor activities that require equipment. Exceptionally equipped – from bespoke locally sourced play equipment to climb on and scramble through, to allotments to cultivate – they are designed to prompt movement, investigation, imagination and creativity.

The wild

Truly natural and sensory, unlike man-made spaces, our wild third learning space is ever changing with the seasons and weather. There is always something new to inspire us, enabling an endless range of meaningful first-hand experiences that stimulate open ended exploring, adventure, physicality, active learning through play, imagination, creativity, curiosity, collaborating, thinking critically and problem solving.

Our nurseries

Sustainability

Spending so much time in nature, the children naturally want to protect it. We involve them in sustainable activities, enabling a sense of empowerment, responsibility and belonging to their local area. Working towards becoming carbon neutral, we do the right thing wherever possible. For example:

Naturally wild

Children are happy playing outdoors; it has been the norm for centuries. However, many now spend too much time in artificial, structured environments. Outdoor led, in the wild as much as possible, we enable children to develop a sense of belonging and love for the natural world – benefiting their fitness, self-esteem, happiness, confidence and ability to engage socially.

Forest school & bushcraft

Our national award-nominated Forest School and Early Years qualified Outdoor Lead is a Beaver scout leader in his spare time. He works with our practitioners to oversee a vast range of forest school and bushcraft activities – from pond dipping to forest bathing. We also invest in weekly externally provided Forest School, to maximise time in the wild.

Adventure ready

Investing in the right kit enables us to be outdoor led. Whether it’s bushcraft resources, pocket microscopes, high-quality waterproofs, practical uniforms, back packs, sturdy steel water bottles or turtle bus pushchairs, it adds to the fun, too. For example, sitting opposite each other, with a side door like a real bus, children love riding in our turtle buses.

‘Winners or finalists for awards including best outdoor learning environment four times, indoor learning environment twice and enabling environments twice, our inspiring, child-led learning spaces are recognised as amongst the best nationally.’ Nursery World & Nursery Management Today
‘Poppies is amazing. The playground equipment is fantastic and should be the envy of all nurseries in the area. The ‘extracurriculars’ are amazing. I’d be amazed if you could find anything that comes close to the value for money. You genuinely see where your money goes and it feels incredibly worth it’. Poppies Parent
‘We are delighted to send our daughter to Hale. It was our first choice based on reviews and the outdoor space – children adore the outdoors! Since our little one has attended, she has skipped in every morning, delighted to see the nursery staff. I feel very proud and lucky that she attends Hale.’ Hale Parent
‘Children have access to a selection of exciting outdoor and indoor activities where they challenge themselves physically, exploring the different ways their bodies move.’

Ofsted
‘I highly recommend it! My daughter wakes up excited about the day ahead of her. The nursery is beautiful and the programs are amazing. My daughter loves forest school, outside visits, yoga and of course all the reading, singing etc.’

Chester parent
‘They have a great outdoor space and are a short walk to a large field and a National Park so they get to go exploring often’.

Poppies Parent
‘Excellent nursery. Staff incredibly caring and professional. Garden is huge and outdoor play is a big focus. My daughter has come on leaps and bounds. Can’t recommend them highly enough.’

Woodlands Parent
‘The outdoor space is great they have a large playground and forest school area too with hammock, swing and bug hotel.’

Chester Parent
‘Our little one always has great experiences every day! We’re very pleased with the outdoor space and time spent with Forest School and walks out to the park and the food is just fantastic! We’re very grateful.’

Poppies Parent
‘We are extremely happy. Highly recommend the nursery. Fab outdoor space, and we love how often they take the children out to play. The staff are great! Very friendly, caring and fun.’

Poppies Parent