Our Earth Explorers Programme is a unique outdoor learning experience, inspired by Forest School and created just for First Friends. Through child-led play and hands-on exploration, we nurture curiosity, independence, and a deep connection with nature — all while celebrating and caring for our planet.
Our Earth Explorer Sessions are carefully planned and provided weekly to children, supporting all areas of learning as outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS). Each session is designed to immerse children in the outdoor environment, where they can explore, investigate, and develop key skills through nature-based activities. These sessions are adaptable to the unique outdoor settings of our nurseries. By utilising the diverse learning opportunities that nature offers, children will enhance their physical, cognitive, and social development in a hands-on, playful way.
Incorporating Everyday Learning and Tasks into daily routines helps children develop lifelong skills that promote independence, problem-solving, and collaboration. These activities are seamlessly woven into their day—whether it's helping with gardening, practicing mindfulness, preparing simple snacks from natural ingredients, or learning how to care for their surroundings. These foundational skills are invaluable and will remain with them, shaping how they approach challenges and opportunities throughout their lives.
We explore the wonders of nature, learning about the plants, animals, and landscapes of the UK. Nature teaches us every day!
We practice simple ways to live in harmony with the Earth—like saving water, reusing items, and making eco-friendly choices
We form strong friendships by working together in nature, sharing discoveries, and supporting each other as we explore the outdoors.
We understand that small actions can make a big difference for the Earth, and we are all responsible for keeping our planet healthy.
We learn why it’s important to look after our planet and our communities by protecting nature, reducing waste, and recycling.
We take safe risks, try new things, and use our hands to explore. Every adventure helps us grow, building confidence and self-esteem
We learn through play and hands-on activities that help us understand the world, solve problems, and develop new skills.
To reduce single-use plastic, we’ve switched to bamboo toothbrushes and reusable aprons for nappy changes. These small but significant changes demonstrate the importance of choosing eco-friendly alternatives and minimising plastic waste wherever possible.
We have growing gardens in each nursery where children help to plant and grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers. This teaches them about the life cycle of plants and the benefits of growing their own food, empowering them to make sustainable choices.
We prioritise high-quality, durable resources such as wooden toys, reducing the need for plastic and single-use items. By investing in sustainable, long-lasting materials, we teach children the importance of choosing quality over convenience, promoting mindful consumption.
We offer a play-based curriculum that is designed to promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Our curriculum includes a variety of activities such as art, music, science, math, and outdoor play to engage and challenge children of all ages.
We actively celebrate key environmental days like Earth Day and World Environment Day, using these moments to engage children in fun and educational activities that raise awareness of global environmental issues. These celebrations instil a sense of global citizenship and environmental responsibility.
Our nurseries avoid using traditional glitter, which is harmful to the environment, opting for eco-friendly alternatives when needed. This reinforces the message of reducing harmful microplastics and protecting our oceans and wildlife.
Energy conservation is a key focus in our nurseries. We teach children to turn off lights when leaving a room and use rugs to conserve heat, creating awareness of the small actions that contribute to larger energy savings. This helps them understand the importance of preserving energy resources.
We expose children to books and stories that focus on nature, recycling, and environmental issues, sparking curiosity and conversations about our planet. Through these stories, children learn early on about the importance of sustainability and the role they play in protecting the environment.
Each room is home to real plants, which not only improve air quality but also allow children to connect with nature indoors. Caring for these plants encourages responsibility and fosters a deeper understanding of how we can nurture the environment around us.
Shanice Butt, Quality and Curriculum Manager