🌿 A new movement for nature-based learning and increasing the time children spend outdoors
April 2026, we’re thrilled to launch something truly special: the Elevate SPH Outdoor Network a fully funded, three‑year programme designed to bring practitioners together, strengthen outdoor education across our region, and make nature-based learning more accessible, joyful, and sustainable for every setting. If we have an investment in our practitioners confidence and skills, we can strengthen outcomes for children.
For years, forest school for life has championed outdoor learning, nature preschool practice, and the belief that children thrive when they have time, space, and freedom outdoors. Now, thanks to funding through the Stronger Practice Hub and the Department for Education, we’re widening the circle.
This network is for every practitioner who wants to deepen their practice, overcome barriers, and create an outdoor classroom that feels possible every single day.
🌱 Why now? Why Outdoors?
More and more families are asking about wellbeing, mental health, and the long-term impact of time outdoors. This shift tells us something powerful: people are ready for a movement. This Outdoor Network meets that moment. The science also backs it up, outdoor environments are beneficial to more effective learning.
Trends across the UK show a growing interest in:
- Outdoor education
- Nature-based learning
- Modern day theorists are researching the benefits of outdoor learning
Giving every child the best start in life means creating environments where they can move freely, think deeply, and feel genuinely seen. Research across the early years sector, from Alison Clark’s work on slow, attentive pedagogy to the Harvard centre on the developing child’s findings on stress, resilience, and executive function, points to the same truth: children thrive when their days are spacious, sensory‑rich, and grounded in real experiences. Outdoor learning isn’t an add‑on; it’s a powerful protective factor. it supports regulation, language, physical development, social connection, and a sense of belonging. Our network exists to help practitioners bring this to life every single day.
🌿 What the Outdoor network offers
Over the next three years, the Elevate Stronger Practice Hub is funding the development of a new network. Practitioners are invited into a supportive, non‑judgemental community where we learn, experiment, and celebrate together.
The programme includes:
🌼 Monthly online professional topic discussion sessions & in person events
Hosted by Victoria Furness, every session explores a different aspect of outdoor learning, from risk and independence to sensory exploration, weather rituals, and child-led inquiry. We begin with the Outdoor Network – Launch Event at FSfL. And will conclude the term at Highfields Nursery in the Summer Holidays. For all the dates and topics follow the Event bright link Outdoor Network Webinars.
🌼 A shared regional Padlet
I am putting together a padlet of evidence and research, a “living library” of stories, photos, before‑and‑afters, provocations, and celebrations from settings across the East of England and beyond.
🌼 To stretch and challenge
Each webinar, practitioners will receive a reflective challenge to return with, to add a tangible dimension to the network.
🌼 Opportunities to visit other settings
Seeing outdoor classrooms in action is one of the most powerful forms of professional development. Do you feel proud or even challenged by some of the concepts of working outdoors with children and feel able to invite us in to share and work in collaboration? We’d love to visit and case study your journey for others to learn from.
🌼 A movement, not a membership
This is about belonging, not performance. Curiosity, courage, and companionship are at the heart of everything.
To strengthen outcomes for children across the UK by increasing time outdoors, deepening practitioner confidence, and embedding relational, ecological, rights‑based practice in every setting.
🌳 Who is it for?
The network is open to:
- Early years practitioners
- Forest School leaders
- Childminders
- Apprentices
- Teachers
- SEND specialists
- Anyone passionate about nature preschool approaches or outdoor learning benefits
Whether you’re brand new to outdoor education or already running a thriving outdoor classroom, there is space for you here.
This isn’t a course. It’s a community of practice.
- We celebrate small wins
- We share honest challenges
- We learn from each other
- We build confidence in outdoor education
- We create a regional movement for children’s wellbeing
And because the programme is fully funded, it’s completely free to join.
🌻 How to Join
Practitioners across the East of England can sign up here Outdoor Network by East of England Early Years Stronger Practice Hub | Eventbrite
Once registered, you’ll receive:
- Your welcome email
- Access to the shared Padlet
- Dates for the monthly CPD sessions
- Invitations to visit other settings and share practice
Term One
We focused on:
A launch event with a tour and provocations at Forest School for Life Norfolk
(Webinar) Slowing down and the benefits of Slow pedagogy
(Webinar) The adult role and the importance of risk and challenge
(Webinar) The adult role, Nature Connection and Community
(Webinar) How the Outdoors supports transitions and planning for next term
In person Celebration event to wrap up the term at Highfields Nursery Suffolk
Term Two
We are focussing on:
(Webinar) The Practicalities of working outdoors
(Webinar) The Science behind Bare Foot play
(Webinar) Case Studies (A look inside local settings outside spaces)
(Webinar) Case Studies pt 2 (A look inside local settings outside spaces)
In person event to visit a Case Study, Carlton Coville, Suffolk
(Webinar) Observations and Silent Inclusion
We can’t wait to welcome you into this growing community.
Victoria & Elevate Stronger Practice Hub
