The Outdoor Environment

At Country Pumpkins we are passionate about the freedom and extensive learning opportunities the outdoors offers. We spend a vast amount of our day outdoors, whether it be in our nursery gardens, the surrounding fields and play areas, or the wider community. Some of our favourite places we visit regularly include Beckford Nature Reserve, the ‘Secret Garden’ and allotment at The Old Post Office in Beckford, the Church and the nearby bridal way. Our Country Pumpkins children are cherished members of the local community. Since opening we have formed secure connections with our neighbours and are always greeted with a wave and a smile as we make our way on our adventures.

Some examples of ways that we give back to our community include baking cakes for church coffee mornings, singing carols to local residents and fundraising for the local wildlife rescue centre, we’ve even made a scarecrow that stands proudly in the nearby allotments!

Forest School

She has her level 3 forest school leader qualification and co-ordinates our outdoor provision across the nursery.

In 2024 we were able to establish our own Forest school area, the Pumpkin Patch! The Forest school area is located in Beckford and from 2 years onwards the children get to visit weekly. Rachel, our forest school leader, has introduced fire and den building to our patch as well as planning to support the pre-school children to learn how to use tools safely and knot work. Our forest school follows the forest school principles, putting safe risk taking and freedom to choose at the heart of its practice. 

At the Pumpkin Patch children can learn about the natural world, the wildlife that lives there, and see the changes throughout the seasons. There is also opportunity for children to challenge themselves on obstacles and swings, dig for worms in the popular mud pit, and construct through den building and weaving with natural materials. Most of all the forest offers children the freedom to explore without walls or ceilings. We end a session by coming back to base camp and reflect on the fun that was had. 

Other outdoor opportunities our children access is via a community minibus which allows our children to travel further afield. Regular trips include: Bredon Forest School, Ashchurch view care home, Pershore library, and a local farm in springtime.