The Benefits of the Outdoors for Children with SEND in Nurseries: A Nurturing Pathway to Growth

This article was kindly written for Hope Education by Lucy Yarnell, SEND lead at Kids Planet.

Outdoor learning offers a wide range of benefits for all children, especially for those with Special Educational Needs (SEND). For our children with SEND, it unlocks a magical space which allows them to embrace the natural environment; moving freely, exploring in a non-restrictive way and developing vital skills through play.

At Kids Planet, we have seen first-hand how outdoor experiences support the emotional physical and social growth of our SEND children; fostering their sense of belonging, curiosity and confidence.

Outdoor Sensory Development Opportunities

The outdoors provides a wealth of sensory development opportunities. From the feeling of leaves underfoot, the rustle of trees, or the warmth of the sun on the skin, this provides children with valuable sensory input. By being able to immerse themselves in these experiences, it allows children to regulate their emotions, reduce anxiety, and feel more connected to the world around them.

We advocate for, coach and mentor our teams to build their understanding of how young children experience the ever-changing world around them through their senses, and how this influences how they learn, their behaviour, and wellbeing. We also explore how movement, sound, touch and body awareness are central to how children regulate, form relationships and are able to access learning supported with a wide range of fantastic resources from Hope Education.

Within Kids Planet, we are incredibly lucky to have an Outdoor Specialist Team who we work with collaboratively to be able to provide an array of outdoor experiences for our children, alongside networking opportunities and support tailored to children’s needs and interests. Our outdoor provisions are enriched with a range of specialist resources to ensure all children, including those with physical or sensory needs, have equal opportunities to participate. One of our most popular and beneficial pieces of equipment we use across our settings is the GONGE spinning top from Hope Education. This is a low spinning seat which provides children with calming, vestibular input whilst also supporting their core strength development, body awareness and allowing children to feel regulated and grounded.

Outdoor Climbing Structures

Another favourite is the Outdoor Climbing Structure. We offer this to our younger children as a means whereby they can challenge themselves and build on their confidence and resilience. For our children with SEND, conquering the climbing frame can be a huge achievement, building physical confidence and self-esteem.

Across Kids Planet, we also use visual aids, timers, and Now/Next boards outdoors to support the children in understanding routines and transitions. These tools create a sense of predictability, reduce anxiety and allow children to focus more on enjoying the experience.

The results speak for themselves. Children who may struggle with routines often thrive outdoors—communicating more freely, engaging in peer play, and showing higher levels of independence.

We share these moments with families through photos, updates, and open events which invite parents to see our outdoor learning in action, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Across our Nurseries, we believe every child deserves the chance to thrive in an environment that meets their individual, unique needs. By embracing the outdoors and investing in the right resources from Hope Education, we are fostering inclusive, joyful experiences where all children, especially those with SEND, can grow, explore, and shine.