Space to explore, confidence to grow.
At Broomwood Pre-Prep in Clapham, outdoor learning is part of everyday school life for children aged 3–7. Our extensive outdoor spaces are used throughout the school day, giving children opportunities to learn through movement, imaginative play and practical discovery.
With activities suited to different ages and stages, our teachers help children make connections between what they learn in the classroom through our curriculum and the world around them.
Our playgrounds are carefully planned learning environments, with space for lively exploration and quieter moments. Our children, from Nursery to Year 2, enjoy:
Counting objects in the playground makes early maths practical and engaging. Exploring materials and textures encourages children to notice differences, ask questions and describe what they discover.
A shared recipe for a “magical potion” brings opportunities to exchange ideas, take turns and solve problems. Storytelling and role play help children practise new vocabulary and express themselves with growing confidence.
This is purposeful play, thoughtfully supported by teachers who know how to turn a child’s curiosity into a learning opportunity.
As children run, climb and balance, they develop strength, coordination and confidence in their own abilities. Crossing stepping stones or trying a new piece of equipment also gives them opportunities to make decisions, assess risk and persevere.
These small challenges help children experience the satisfaction of working something out for themselves and becoming more independent, while also preparing them for Broomwood’s excellent range of extracurricular activities and sports.
Time outdoors gives children room to move and reset, helping them return to learning with renewed focus. Alongside active play, our quieter spaces offer somewhere to pause or enjoy a calm moment with a friend.
Shared outdoor activities also encourage children to listen to one another, cooperate and build friendships. For some children, learning through a practical activity outdoors can be a particularly effective way to engage.
“We have seen first-hand how outdoor learning strengthens focus, independence, confidence and social skills.”
Outdoor learning is a core part of the school day at Broomwood Pre-Prep, not an occasional extra. Children move their learning outside to explore, build, create and problem-solve in spaces designed for their age and stage, from the mud kitchen to the outdoor theatre. It runs alongside classroom teaching to build confidence, independence and a love of discovery.
Outdoor learning runs across Broomwood Pre-Prep for children aged 3 to 7, from Nursery through to Year 2. Activities are adapted to each stage, so younger children in Nursery and Reception enjoy sensory, imaginative play such as the mud kitchen, while Year 1 and Year 2 pupils take on more physical and cooperative challenges like balance beams and team games.
Yes. Outdoor learning happens throughout the school day, in all but the most extreme weather. Children are dressed appropriately for the season, and wet or cold conditions often become part of the lesson itself, from splashing in puddles to talking about wind and the seasons, so learning continues outside all year round.
Our outdoor spaces include an outdoor theatre with a storytelling stage and costumes, tuff trays for sensory exploration, stepping stones and balance beams, larger play equipment, and quieter areas for reflection. Each space is designed for children aged 3 to 7, giving every child room to explore, build and play safely.
Outdoor learning brings the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum to life through hands-on experience. Counting objects or acting out a story outdoors builds early maths, communication, problem-solving and understanding of the world, turning everyday play into purposeful, curriculum-linked learning.
Outdoor learning continues right through Broomwood Pre-Prep, adapting as children grow. In Year 1 and Year 2, activities place more emphasis on physical confidence, coordination, decision-making and teamwork, building on the imaginative and sensory play first introduced back in Nursery and Reception.
We recommend comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that can get muddy, along with wellies or suitable outdoor shoes and a waterproof coat for cooler months. Our children spend time outdoors every day, so clothes that allow free movement help them get the most from the tuff trays and active play.
Outdoor play supports physical, social, and emotional development. Running, climbing and balancing build strength and coordination, while shared activities like storytelling and role play encourage cooperation, communication and friendship. Time outdoors also gives children space to reset, helping them return to learning with renewed focus.
Yes. We welcome prospective families to visit Broomwood Pre-Prep in Clapham and see our outdoor learning spaces first-hand. You can book a personal tour or attend an open event to meet our teachers, explore the mud kitchen and outdoor theatre, and watch outdoor learning in action.
To see our outdoor learning spaces for yourself, book a personal tour or join us at our next open event. Our admissions team would be delighted to show you around Broomwood Pre-Prep.
Little Broomwood (Nursery)/ Broomwood Pre-Prep
192 Ramsden Road / 50 Nightingale Lane, London SW12 8RQ
Call: +44 (0) 20 8682 8840
Email: preprep@broomwood.com
