The outdoors-based nursery, The Children’s Garden, has launched its first ever CPD Day for early years’ professionals

This Ofsted Outstanding nursery and forest school, situated on the edge of Norwich in a Victorian walled garden and surrounding woodland, has been nurturing its own thoughtful pedagogy. ‘Rewild Childhood’ brings together the natural world, the image of the child as capable and curious and practice together with a high degree of reflection from our educators.

We are heavily-influenced by the child-led, project-based early years’ centres of Reggio Emilia in Italy, the Montessori Method as well as forest school and outdoor learning. Head of under 2s Charlotte Hadden explained further: “But it is the individual child which sits at the heart of our ethos and the natural world which provides much of the inspiration. This is as true for our babies as it is for our pre-school children.”

Having been launched by Claire & Ed Kenyon in 2017, in a magical natural setting, yet just 2.5 miles from Norwich City Centre, The Children’s Garden has enjoyed a constant stream of professional visitors and hosted many courses on our site.

TCG partner & forest school teacher Ed Kenyon said: “We now feel it is the right time to welcome Early Years’ Educators and Professionals for a more in-depth visit. We will be sharing the key elements of our ‘Rewild Childhood’ ethos and how the natural world and young children coming together – combined with observant and reflective adult practice – create the ideal environment for children to discover the world around them and be confident of their place in it.”

TCG’s Pedagogical lead Paula Keith, added: “Forest School is a thread which filters through everything we offer. We ensure children have a voice so they can articulate their curiosity of the environment around them and their interactions with it and their peers and adults.”

TCG manager and Montessori teacher, Nicky Mekheimar, said: “The focus of the day will be to inspire fellow educators – irrespective of the scope of their settings’ outdoor environment – to explore their own journey of discovery towards a thoughtful, nature-inspired, child-led ethos.”