Children at Bright Horizons Cramond Early Learning and Childcare are enjoying weekly visits to the nearby beach and woodland areas, supporting learning through exploration, conversation and shared experiences outdoors.
The visits give children time to explore their surroundings at their own gentle pace, encouraging curiosity and helping them build confidence beyond the nursery environment. Experiences from their adventures are then revisited back at nursery through discussion, further exploration and play.
The approach comes amid growing national discussion about screen use in the early years. Recent UK research reported by Nursery World has highlighted the increasing role screens play in very young children’s daily routines, prompting renewed focus across the sector on real-world, hands-on experiences.
Yvonne, Nursery Manager at Bright Horizons Cramond, said: “Exploring the local area together supports children’s sense of belonging and helps them make sense of the world around them.
“When they return from visits to the beach and forest, they collect natural materials such as shells, leaves and pinecones, alongside ideas and questions to talk through back at nursery.
“This reflects our Nurture Approach, where emotional wellbeing, strong relationships and shared reflection are at the heart of how children learn.”
Practitioners use children’s observations and conversations from these outings to shape learning back at nursery, supporting communication skills, emotional wellbeing and meaningful connections with the world around them.
By prioritising outdoor exploration, time for talk and shared reflection, the nursery aims to offer young children rich learning experiences rooted in relationships and real environments, rather than digital distractions.
Bright Horizons Cramond Early Learning and Childcare is holding an Open Day on 13 June, giving families the opportunity to visit the setting, meet the team and find out more about early education and childcare.
Registrations are now being taken for 2027. Further details are available via the Bright Horizons website.
