Hanningfield Nature Tots and Babies

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 Friday from 16 January to 13 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 available for 23 January only. If you would like to attend another week, no problem. Please click on the day you would like to attend below.

Dates: 16, 23, 30 January, 6, 13 February

FAQs

🎫 Who needs a ticket to attend?

Nature Tots and Babies at Hanningfield is suitable for children aged 6 months to 5 years. Siblings under 12 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 on the mound behind the visitor centre.

🌳Will the activities take place outside?

Yes, Nature Tots is an outdoor playgroup, and we will be outside for the whole session.

🌍Where are you based?

We are located in Mid-Essex, local to Chelmsford, Ingatestone, Billericay, Wickford, South Woodham Ferrers, and Basildon.

🚗Is there parking?

Yes. We have a large free car park.

🔥What should we bring? Is food provided? (For sites with a campfire)

🥜My Child Has Allergies. Will they be able to eat the snack? (For sites with a campfire)

🥾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?

Toilets are located inside the visitor centre.

☕Is there a café?

The visitor centre has a shop and 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 find our booking terms and conditions here:

Event booking terms and conditions

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Host or Publisher Essex Wildlife Trust