Nature-Led Learning
Eco-Friendly Practice
As a nature-led nursery, sustainability is part of our mission. Children at Muddy Boots will grow up understanding the journey from field to fork, embedded through gardening, cooking, mealtimes and everyday experience.
At Muddy Boots, nature is not an occasional activity — it is part of every day. We believe children learn best when they have the freedom to explore, discover, experiment and get fully involved in the world around them.
Caring for the Environment
Helping children feel connected to nature also helps them understand why it matters. Through everyday conversations, practical experiences and outdoor exploration, we encourage children to notice, respect and care for the world around them.
Our outdoor environments are an extension of every nursery room. They give children opportunities to take safe risks, develop physical skills, solve problems, work together and build resilience — all while learning and having fun.
Whether children are splashing in the rain, collecting leaves, exploring textures or watching the seasons change, each experience supports their development and understanding in a natural, meaningful way.
We love it when our nature-led and eco-friendly ethos goes beyond our nursery walls. Through legacy learning, children take home what they learn, sharing it with family and implementing it into their lives in the little ways that matter.
Our Everyday Practice
Our amazing outdoor spaces and free-flow movement means children spend most of their time out in nature every day they’re at nursery.
Up to 80% Outdoors
We regularly recycle materials and resources for children’s activities, including arts & crafts, sensory trays, and more!
Recycled Resources
Children regularly engage in garden activities to learn about the nature life-cycle, and to grow their own produce for use in snack & mealtimes!
Nursery Gardens & Allotments
Our love of nature goes beyond the nursery walls. We partner with the National Trust to give our families greater access to the amazing outdoors and support local conservation.
National Trust Partnership
All of our settings are partially powered by solar, as part of our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Powered by Nature
Our chefs prepare fresh, nutritious and homemade meals with seasonal ingredients, with plant-based meals at least 1-day a week.
Seasonal, Plant-Based Meals
In 2026, we reduced our vehicle fleet by 35%! We also aim to travel by foot during visits to the local community and our after school club.
Sustainable Travel
Children learn about nature and how to protect it, meet wildlife, explore their surroundings and venture out into their local community.
Understanding the World
At Muddy Boots, our screen use is limited. We only use screens for purposeful learning, showing short films, sounds and images that may support children's learning.
Screen Free Learning
See Our Nature-Led & Eco-Friendly Learning in Action!
At Muddy Boots, children are free to be children: to wonder, to play, to investigate, to imagine — and, of course, to get muddy along the way. Our existing approach puts outdoor exploration, adventure, discovery and connection at the heart of early learning.
Find out more about our nature-led early years settings by booking your showround - we can’t wait to meet you!