The Importance of Open Outdoor Space at Nido

Open outdoor spaces play an important role in child development, as these environments provide a range of benefits that nurture physical, cognitive, and emotional growth during a child’s early years.

Outdoor spaces offer natural settings for exploration and discovery, stimulating children’s curiosity and creativity. At Nido, we encourage hands-on learning experiences, where children can interact with nature and engage in sensory activities like gardening or outdoor art projects. This fosters a deeper connection with the environment and allows them to be in control of their own learning.

Outdoor play also promotes physical development and a healthy lifestyle, allowing for gross motor activities such as running, jumping, and climbing, essential for building strength, coordination, and balance. Plus, exposure to natural light and fresh air enhances overall well-being, contributing to better concentration and mood regulation, which are all important for effective learning.

Outside areas provide opportunities for social interaction and emotional development. Collaborative play and group activities promote communication skills, teamwork, and conflict resolution, building positive relationships among peers, whilst unstructured play in natural settings promotes resilience and risk-taking, teaching children to navigate challenges and develop self-confidence.

Embracing the Reggio Emilia approach, Nido Early School recognises the impact of open outdoor spaces on early childhood development and creates environments that honour children’s curiosity, creativity, and agency. These spaces become vibrant hubs of learning where every child can thrive.

If you are passionate about early learning education and interested in the Reggio Emilia approach Nido Early School is inspired by, visit our career page.

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Hi Georgina,

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the recruitment of Centre Directors and Educators to join the expanding Nido family.

With so many open roles in the sector at the moment, I think we should be talking about the differences that really sets Nido apart. From my own experience, they are not always obvious from the outside, but when you get to meet the Nido family you really feel it.

Leaving my previous employer, who I was with for over 10 years, was not an easy decision. I had interviews with a few different companies, before finding my home at Nido.

I remember walking out of that initial interview, literally with tears in my eyes, I knew I had finally found what I had been looking for.

As you mentioned, honesty and integrity are critical and a given, our Services, resources and environments speak for themselves, and candidates merely need to look at our website to understand how engaging and wonderful they are.

We really need to focus more on what a Centre Director and an Educator will experience at Nido;

Authenticity; At Nido they will get honesty with heart
Trust and understanding; At Nido you are treated from day one, as competent and capable
We have the opportunity to inspire Educators and children to reach their full potential and change their worlds for the better, this still delights me everyday
At Nido you can make your mark in the world and are given the respect and autonomy to do what you love and truly make a difference
Collaboration – we are one team, far and wide we inspire and challenge each other
Nido is a family, for me, I have the overwhelming sense of belonging at Nido, my people and my home, this is what drew me to Nido in the first place

I am continually driven by our purpose;

To provide our Educators with the training, environment, motivation, and empowerment to deliver exceeding quality education to children, partnering with families, and giving children a voice and the opportunity to lead wonderful fulfilling lives.

I love that we seek to make quality early education available to everyone, regardless of their economic position. That we focus more on suburban children and advocate for their rights, Nido is truly a movement and not one to join without knowing you will need to put your heart on the line every single day.

Mary Oliver asked “What will you do with your one wild and precious life”, I cannot think of anything more fulfilling than what I get to do every day at Nido.

Kind regards,
Danika x