Early years educators play a crucial role in shaping children’s confidence, curiosity and wellbeing. At this vital stage of development, young children are building emotional resilience, social understanding, physical skills and their emerging sense of self. The adults who care for them provide the stable, nurturing foundations they need to thrive.
Increasingly, early years settings are also recognising their role in building children’s connection with the natural world and contributing to a more sustainable future. The Department for Education’s guidance on sustainability leadership and climate action plans in education encourages all settings to develop a simple, meaningful climate action plan supported by a clear sustainability leadership structure.
Although it may sound like a big task, a wide range of free DfE-funded support is available to help you every step of the way in a way that works for your setting. This supports a journey towards sustainability becoming more accessible and inspiring.
At the heart of this offer is the National Education Nature Park, which has been refined for EYFS settings.
Nature and Wellbeing Go Hand-in-Hand
The National Education Nature Park, commissioned by the Department for Education and led by the Natural History Museum with the Royal Horticultural Society and other partners, offers a free, structured way for nurseries and early years settings to promote wellbeing through nature.
Since its launch in 2023, more than 8,000 schools, colleges and nurseries have joined the programme and are improving their outdoor spaces for people and wildlife by digging ponds, growing pollinator-friendly plants and creating other types of habitat. An interactive online Nature Park Map captures the collective impact settings are having on biodiversity through these changes, and the children and young people taking part are contributing to global scientific research.
Time spent in nature has powerful benefits for both children and practitioners. Evidence shows that it can:
- Increase happiness by boosting dopamine and endorphins
- Support focus and concentration
- Reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety
(Mental Health Awareness, 2021).
The Nature Park helps settings harness these benefits by encouraging children to slow down, notice small details in their surroundings, take part in imaginative nature-inspired activities, explore green spaces, and contribute to hands-on conservation. These experiences nurture curiosity, confidence and care for the environment.
What the Nature Park Offers EYFS Settings
The Nature Park provides free, quality-assured, resources designed specifically for early years and shaped around the seven areas of learning and development. These help young children:
- Build a positive relationship with the natural world
- Develop foundational green skills through play
- Understand that their actions can have a positive impact on their environment
The EYFS Nature Park Guide gives practitioners step-by-step support to embed outdoor learning confidently and safely. It also helps educators communicate the importance of nature-based play to parents and caregivers.
Wellbeing Benefits for Children and Educators
Emotional Development
Children build confidence, feel joy, and develop calmness through regular nature connection.
Physical Development
Active play outdoors supports coordination, strength, fine and gross motor skills, and overall physical health.
Practitioner Wellbeing
Practitioners gain confidence delivering outdoor learning and benefit from spending time in nature themselves.
Environmental Wellbeing
Settings enhance their green spaces, foster children’s environmental awareness, and contribute to biodiversity.
A Valuable Part of Your Setting’s Climate Action Plan
The National Education Nature Park is an ideal starting point or building block for early years climate action plans. By engaging with the Nature Park, settings can demonstrate leadership in sustainability, improve green spaces, and embed climate education in a gentle, age-appropriate way.
This aligns directly with the DfE’s sustainability expectations and provides a practical, enjoyable route into climate action for children, staff and families.
Further Free DfE-Funded Support Available to Early Years Settings
In addition to the Nature Park, settings can access further fully-funded support to build their climate action plan and leadership approach:
Sustainability Support for Education
Free online resources, tools and services to help you identify appropriate actions and develop or enhance your climate action plan.
Access to volunteer climate experts and regional networks who can help shape, review and support delivery of your climate action plan. Early years settings benefit from localised, on-the-ground guidance provided in partnership with Let’s Go Zero.
Together, these programmes give early years providers a simple and supportive framework to move from intention to action.
Real-World Inspiration
Many early years settings across England are already taking part.
For example, Play and Learn Nursery in the West Midlands is using the Nature Park to help children develop a lifelong connection with nature:
https://www.educationnaturepark.org.uk/developing-lifelong-connection-nature-play-and-learn-nursery
Get Involved
Registering is free and takes just a few minutes. Joining the National Education Nature Park allows your setting to:
- Support children’s wellbeing
- Build early green skills
- Enhance your outdoor spaces
- Contribute to biodiversity research
- Strengthen your sustainability leadership
- Add meaningful action to your climate plan
Register your setting for free: https://www.educationnaturepark.org.uk
By taking this step, you’ll be supporting the wellbeing of your children and staff, and helping shape a greener, healthier future for all.