People often ask why we invested so heavily in creating our new indoor–outdoor classroom at Monkey Puzzle West Norwood.
The answer is simple.
Because children are changing, and as Early Years professionals, we have a responsibility to change with them.
As a Nursery Director, and someone who has spent more than 20 years supporting children as both a Chartered Physiotherapist and Early Years professional, I don’t believe we can continue providing the same nursery environments we did ten years ago and expect them to meet the needs of today’s children.
The world our children are growing up in has changed dramatically.
Children are spending more time on screens, moving less, and experiencing far more stimulation than ever before. At the same time, we are seeing an increasing number of children who are neurodiverse or who simply experience and process the world differently. We are also seeing more children who find it harder to regulate their emotions, sustain attention and cope with busy environments.
For me, this isn’t about labels.
- It’s about recognising that every child learns differently.
- Some children need movement before they can concentrate.
- Some need quiet before they can communicate.
- Some need nature before they can regulate.
- Some need space, while others need security.
- Our role in Early Years education isn’t to expect every child to fit into the same environment.
- Our role is to create a nursery environment where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
That is exactly why we designed our new indoor–outdoor classroom.
Every feature has been carefully considered to support children’s learning, wellbeing and development.
- Smaller group sizes create a calmer atmosphere and allow practitioners to build deeper relationships with every child.
- Lower ceilings create a greater sense of security and help reduce feelings of overwhelm.
- Free-flow access between indoors and outdoors allows children to choose the environment that helps them feel calm, regulated and ready to learn.
- Our large tropical fish tank provides a calming sensory experience, encouraging children to pause, observe and regulate.
- Natural resources, open-ended play and outdoor learning encourage curiosity, imagination, creativity and learning through play.
- This isn’t simply about creating a beautiful classroom.
It’s about creating an inclusive nursery environment that recognises there is no single way to learn.
The more we understand about brain development, emotional regulation and child development, the more we understand that learning begins when children feel safe, connected and regulated.
Only then can they truly engage, explore and flourish.
Our new classroom reflects that understanding.
It represents our commitment to continually reviewing our practice, investing in our nursery environment and adapting to the changing needs of today’s children.
At Monkey Puzzle West Norwood, we believe outstanding childcare and Early Years education means continually evolving to give every child the very best start in life and help prepare them for school and beyond.
Because outstanding Early Years education isn’t about standing still.
It’s about continually asking ourselves:
“What do today’s children need from us?”
And having the courage to evolve when the answer changes.