Belfairs Nature Tots

Welcome to Nature Tots

Nature Tots is an outdoor playgroup inspired by the Forest School Principles, created to spark curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of nature and the great outdoors. Every session is child-led, and each week we will give children the opportunity to explore sensory play in nature and take part in nature-based activities, such as bug hunting, swinging in the hammock, and playing in the mud kitchen, whilst maintaining a focus on early years outdoor learning through play! 🌿🐞

Nature Tots and Child Development

Physical development – Children are given the opportunity to climb, dig, and balance. At Nature Tots, they also refine fine motor skills through knot tying, supervised tool use, and craft activities.

Emotional Wellbeing & Resilience – Our Wilder Learning team creates calm spaces that nurture child-led play, where a child’s self-confidence can grow through achievable challenges, where they will have the opportunity to develop resilience by pursuing their own ideas and correcting those ideas if needed.

Social & Communication Skills - Children can work together when taking part in outdoor activities, such as den building and creating in the mud kitchen. Where they can share ideas and solve problems together.

Cognitive Development & Problem-Solving - Children put their own thoughts into practice, test their ideas, and change those ideas when necessary.

Creativity & Imagination - Nature has all the tools needed to bring a child’s imagination to life! Mud can become paint, and the potential of a stick is endless. Natural resources give children the opportunity for unstructured play and spark flexible creativity.

Connection to Nature & Environmental Awareness - It is understood that spending time in nature is very important when it comes to supporting our own well-being. By spending time in nature from a young age, children are provided with that practice early on, which will hopefully continue to support their own well-being as they grow through all stages of life.

Supported Risk & Self-Confidence - Children are provided with opportunities for risk-taking, which is appropriate and safe. Outdoor activities such as climbing trees and using tools will help children become independent and confident individuals who learn to trust their own judgement.

Holistic Development – The Forest School Principles recognise that each developmental focus is interlinked and the bigger picture in supporting a child’s development.

Group Information

The sessions run in a block of 5 sessions and take place weekly during term time—every Thursday from 15 January to 12 February (5 weeks). Please note that the 5-week ticket is only available on the listing for the first day of term.

The 1-week ticket is valid for the Nature Tots session on 29 January only. If you’d like to visit on a different week, no problem — just click on the dates below.

Dates: 15, 22, 29 January, 5, 12 February

FAQs

🎫 Who needs a ticket to attend?

Nature Tots at Belfairs is suitable for children aged 18 months to 5 years. Siblings under 18 months are very welcome to attend, but they do not require a ticket.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Do you offer a sibling discount?

Yes. We offer a 10% discount on sibling tickets for Nature Tots tickets.

🌿Do you accept Universal Credit?

We have a limited number of places available for families in receipt of universal credit. To find out more, please email our Wilder Learning Officer at the email address below.

📍Where do we meet?

Meet outside the Nature Discovery Centre. Please allow time for parking. If you arrive later, further meeting point instructions will be sent before the event.

🌳Will the activities take place outside?

Yes, Nature Tots is an outdoor playgroup. The whole session will take place outside.

🌍Where are you based?

We are located in Leigh-on-Sea, just off the A127 in Southend-on-Sea. We are also close to Rochford, Hadleigh, and Rayleigh.

🚗Is there parking?

Yes, we have two free car parks. The main car park is located within the main entrance but has limited spaces and is a short walk to the Nature Discovery Centre. The second car park is located behind The Inn at Belfairs pub on Eastwood Road North. The Nature Discovery Centre is approximately a 15-minute walk away from the second car park, straight through the woodland. Please allow enough time for parking when arriving for your event.

🥾What should we wear?

Please dress for being outside - lots of layers. If it has been raining, the paths will be muddy and have lots of puddles, so wellies or boots are advised.

🚻Are there toilets?

Yes. Our Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre has toilets (including an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities)

☕Is there a café?

There is a café serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, ice cream, and light lunches.

🐕‍🦺Can we bring a dog?

Assistance dogs are welcome at our events.

♿Will the event be accessible?

Please read the event booking terms and conditions here:

Event booking terms and conditions

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Host or Publisher Essex Wildlife Trust