Success stories

Natural Thinkers features in Nursery World

01 July 2025

Annette Rawstrone reports on how Natural Thinkers is helping practitioners to connect children with nature through everyday learning experiences.

"A lot of our thinking and curriculum has grown up from the training we had from Natural Thinkers. It has given practitioners time to think about what experiences are right for our children before they enter primary school." Sian McDermott, Rowland Hill Nursery School in Haringey, north London.

Read the full Nursery World article

Loved every bit of it. I will use what I have learnt to inspire teaching and support staff for outdoor learning

Wandsworth practitioner

Excellent training, research to back it up, and support with changing the mindset of the staff team.

Luton practitioner

★★★★★

Testimonials from teachers and practitioners who have attended Natural Thinkers training

Great training! I really enjoyed it and I really believe in the ethos. Thank you Natural Thinkers!

Lambeth practitioner

Having the practical sessions made the course very powerful. Great training.

Haringey practitioner

★★★★★

Learnt so much – how to maximise learning, enjoyment and wellbeing through the outdoor area without having to spend a lot on resources.

Practitioner

My most pleasant training experience in recent years.

Lambeth practitioner

★★★★★

Very informative and interesting. Having the hands-on activities in the afternoon helped consolidate the activities.

Practitioner

It's made us all reflect on what we're offering children, and improved practitioners' awareness of what there is to do outside. All presented activities are achievable.

Practitioner

★★★★★

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Our work with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)

Natural Thinkers was supported by a development grant from the Education Endowment Foundation from August 2023 to February 2024 with 12 settings in Kent. The grant enabled the Natural Thinkers programme to be enhanced and a PSED half day online training to be devised which focussed on developing children’s self -regulation and executive function through connecting to nature. Materials were created which gave an overview of the evidence base and activities and strategies practitioners were able to implement in their setting to support children’s well-being, foster their self-awareness, self-control, and problem-solving abilities.

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