A fresh outdoor learning environment has been unveiled to spark children’s curiosity through direct engagement with the natural world.

Wibli Wobli Nursery in Newport, South Wales, marked the official opening of its Forest School programme with a celebration attended by collaborators, elected officials, other nursery settings, and council representatives.

Visitors were able to explore the grounds and discover more about the nursery’s approach to outdoor education.

Natasha Baker, proprietor of Wibli Wobli Nursery, expressed her pride in launching the space and opening it to both their children and the broader community. She explained that it embodies their core beliefs, including a passion for the environment, learning through play, and supporting wellbeing.

The newly established Forest School has become an integral element of Wibli Wobli’s everyday routine, fostering children’s growth through discovery and alfresco activities.

Later that day, a complimentary event welcomed families to enjoy the environment, engage with the space, and build connections with one another.

The Forest School has also been conceived as a resource for the wider community, offering sessions for professional development, school trips, partnerships, and gatherings.

Among the features of the outdoor classroom are growing beds for vegetables, herb plots, fruit trees, a woven willow structure, an eco-friendly toilet, a compost system, and an expanding area of wildflowers.

The nursery has also fitted 70 solar panels as part of its dedication to environmental responsibility.

The setting works alongside a forest school instructor who rents the facilities and, in exchange, delivers training for staff members to aid their continued professional growth.

The nursery anticipates the space will develop and expand over time and is open to partnerships with other groups.

Wibli Wobli welcomes enquiries from those wishing to collaborate, utilise the facilities, or discover more about the Forest School programme.

The Forest School methodology focuses on developing inquisitiveness, enhancing self-assurance, and celebrating the pleasure of practical, nature-focused encounters, all infused with what they describe as muddy magic.

The site was established not merely to serve the children enrolled at the nursery but also to strengthen community ties and deliver accessible educational experiences.