I receive a lot of queries about outdoor nurseries, out-of-school clubs, forest kindergartens and nature kindergartens in Scotland. This post lists the ones I am aware of, but please, if you know of others, then please do get in touch and tell me more. 

One challenge is defining the above terms. Each term represents a broad span of practice. For the purposes of this post, I am referring to childcare services where all children spend most of their time outside (e.g. 80%+) and with lots of opportunities – usually daily – to get off-site and explore local greenspace. The settings are registered with the Care Inspectorate in Scotland.

Scotland uses many terms to describe an outdoor nursery. So it is important not to make assumptions but rather check directly with the nursery about their practice in advance. The Care Inspectorate keep a record of nurseries and out-of-school clubs who have chosen to register as an outdoor setting. I have marked these with an asterisk(*). However I have found that some nurseries have not done this, but have lots of outdoor practice. Likewise, how outdoorsy an outdoor setting may be is open to interpretation. At the end of 2023, there were 48 nurseries and 4 school-aged childcare organisations that were registered with the Care Inspectorate.

The Care Inspectorate have also defined different types of early learning and childcare establishments into four categories as outlined in this practice note: Delivering High Quality Play and Learning Environments Outdoors. When registering a new nursery, the Care Inspectorate accept that the provision may not fall neatly into any of these categories and must consider the variety of possibilities that exist. Within this blog post, I’m only listing fully outdoor settings plus interesting set ups. If you want to find out about services that have a satellite provision, e.g. a site away from the main hub or indoor outdoor provision then please visit the Care Inspectorate pages (go to their main page and type “outdoor” into their search facility) that provide more information about this type of provision.

If you wish to visit these establishments, then please make contact directly. Many have Facebook pages and Twitter feeds. However please bear in mind the following:

1. The services are busy places and staff have limited time to answer emails and phone calls. Be patient. Provide as much information as you can and you need to be the one who is proactive.
2. A nursery or OOSC may receive many requests each year and can’t always fulfil every one. Look for open days and training courses being offered as this is one way to meet staff and learn more about practice. Big groups can be a lot to accommodate and not all children cope with large parties descending upon them.
3. Check expectations about how you should behave and interact with the children, including protocol around photographs. Be respectful of children’s rights and of the staff’s need to get on and do their job. Not every nursery will let you visit when children are present, so check in advance.
4. Be kind and offer a donation to their funds. If a service needs to hire an extra person so that time can be made to speak to you, then offer to pay for this.
5. Follow the guidance for visiting an educational establishment and make the most of the opportunity to reflect on your practice.
6. Every nursery or OOSC is different. Once you’ve seen one outdoor nursery you have not seen them all. The ethos, quality of practice, values and visions can be very different. Also, every setting varies because of the unique place and community culture in which it is situated.

To see some of the fantastic practice and approaches, have a look at these generic Scottish outdoor nursery videos

EVERY CHILDCARE SERVICE LISTED HAS A WEBLINK OR FACEBOOK LINK – CLICK ON THE NAME AND IT SHOULD OPEN UP 🙂

Abriachan Forest School: Early Years, near Inverness, Highland*

This nursery is a development of Abriachan Forest Trust that is a community owned woodland with a variety of activities happening beyond the outdoor nursery, for all ages. It was registered in January 2020.

Aberdeen City Early Years Outdoor Nurseries*

Aberdeen City have two local authority run nurseries which opened in August 2021. One is at Duthie Park offering provision for 2-5yr olds 46 weeks per year. The other is at Hazlehead Park which is term time provision only.

Auchinairn After School Care and Forest School, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow*

Whilst this OOSC service is fully registered as an outdoor setting and it is a Forest School Association (FSA) Accredited Provider. Furthermore the Care Inspection reports highlight the excellent and very good practice that exists and has done for many years. A fantastic achievement by all involved!

Baltic Street Adventure Nursery Dalmarnock, Glasgow*

The Baltic Street Adventure Playground run a fully outdoor nursery which enables those attending to have the run of the adventure playground. There are also visits to local greenspace. The staff were involved in supporting local nurseries to access local greenspace in 2018-2020 with the support of Inspiring Scotland.

Cabin Club Forest School, Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire

This is a childminding service that operates out of a cabin in the garden. The children also make use of the local woods and beach. Great to see the expansion of outdoor childminding services within Scotland.

Cowgate Under 5’s Centre, in the heart of Edinburgh

This urban nursery has a long tradition of excellent practice. I have written several blog posts about different aspects of their provision – many of which are now dated but still worth browsing. It is not a full-blown outdoor nursery but demonstrates how a standard nursery can provide fantastic outdoor opportunities for its children. In 2023 Lynn McNair stepped down as Head of Centre. Thus it is not clear how outdoorsy this nursery still is but the video below is worth a watch.

Drumfork Nursery and Family Centre, Helensburgh, Argyll*

The Forest School stands alone from the main nursery as a separate registration as a fully outdoor service. Great to see standard nurseries embracing outdoor practice in this way – lucky children! There is also an out of school option.

Earthtime Forest School Nursery, Duffus, Moray*

This nursery opened in January 2016. It is part of the Earthtime for All charitable company that provides an assortment of nature-based and environmentally themed outdoor activities for all ages and abilities in Moray. The nursery follows the principles and practice of Forest School and is the first FSA accredited provider in Scotland.  It won the 2019 Scotland’s Finest Woods Award (Education category).

Edinburgh Council Forest Kindergartens, Edinburgh*

Edinburgh Council have seven Forest Kindergartens: Bonaly, Cammo Estate, Corstorphine Hill, Hawkhill Woods, Lauriston Castle, Newbattle Abbey College and South Queensferry.

Escape to the Story Outdoor Nursery, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire

Based on the outskirts of Glasgow on the south side, this is a wee outdoor nursery that opened in 2022.

Evergreen Outdoor Nursery, Maryhill, Glasgow*

This outdoor nursery opened in October 2015 as one of several services offered by Maryhill Mobile Children’s Services. More recently the service opened Treetop Outdoor Nursery in Calder Primary School. Enjoy the video below:

Fenton Barns Nursery, East Lothian

This warm, friendly nursery oozes an outdoor ethos. It is a good example of a nursery where the emphasis is most definitely on outdoor experiences. This is backed up by a Care Inspectorate report which emphasises the outdoor nature of this early childhood setting.

The Forest at Merchiston, Edinburgh

A forest nursery and junior school opened in 2024 at this established private co-ed school in Edinburgh. It provides an alternative and holistic approach to offer the best formative early years of education.

Forest Foxes, Edinburgh*

This part-time Forest Kindergarten opened in 2022 on the south side of the city. It is run on Forest School principles.

FossoPLAY Outdoor Nursery, Kinross, Perthshire*

Established in 2020 and promoting the value of outdoor play. Check out the social media pages which are full of positive images and commentary.

Greenbank Woodland Play, Glasgow*

This outdoor nursery is based across two sites in National Trust Greenbank Gardens in Clarkston Glasgow and nearby woodland. It caters for 3-5 year olds and offers flexible hours from 8-6 five days a week. It was established in January 2015.

Haddo Woodland Kindergarten, Aberdeenshire*

This much-anticipated outdoor nursery opened its doors in November 2019. The founder, Denise Bowie, has spent years setting this up and ensuring it is all fit-for purpose. Already their Facebook page is a joy to read.

High Flyers at the Woods, Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire*

Opened in 2020, this is South Lanarkshire’s first outdoor nursery. It is run by a larger nursery with two standard nurseries but has this woodland provision.

Howies Outdoor Play (H.O.P.), Falkirk

A childminding service established by Lyn Howie that has a very strong and positive emphasis on playing outdoors. It is a big set up in that Lyn is also supported by a number of assistants. Check out the Care Inspectorate reports that rate this service as excellent.

Kinder Croft CIC, Ullapool, Highland*

At the moment, this the UK’s most northerly outdoor nursery. It opened its doors in August 2019.

Little Bugs Nursery, nr Dunfermline, Fife and South Queensferry*

Little Bugs has two outdoor nurseries which are open 50 weeks of the year, from 8am to 6pm. It aims to offer adventure within a nurturing environment. The learning structure is play based and children take the lead when exploring. The experienced early years practitioners scaffold children’s learning experiences and encourage curiosity and a thirst for learning.

MAKI Pups Outdoor Nursery, Lochgilphead*

MAKI Pups Outdoor Nursery is ACT (Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust) and offers funded ELC and wraparound care for children aged 3-5. It is Mid Argyll’s first fully outdoor nursery. Set in Walled Gardens of Kilmory Castle in Lochgilphead, children have access to three very different areas. Supported by a team of experienced and multi talented staff, children are encouraged to learn, explore and care for the natural environment around them.

Methilhill Nature Nursery and Nature Tots, Fife*

This part-time childcare provision is part of the support services offered by the Methilhill Community Children’s Initiative.

Mindstretchers, Auchlone Nature Kindergarten, Perthshire*

This nature kindergarten is well-known through the international work of its founder, Claire Warden, who has written extensively about her nature-based pedagogy. It is one of the first and most established outdoor nurseries in Scotland. There are many videos which can be viewed on YouTube but this one give a flavour:

Mucky Boots Nature Kindergarten, Maryculter, Aberdeenshire*

Aberdeenshire’s First Nursery opened in 2017 following a 2-year pilot by the founder, Dawn Ewan. It is child-initiated and child-led, based upon the principles and practice of Forest School.

Nature’s Little Wonders, North-East Fife

A Froebelian Nursery that also has Forest School ethos at its heart.

Newcroft Childcare, Keith, Moray*

An inspirational registered childminding service that won the prestigious Scotlands Finest Woods Award in 2024. A newsy Facebook page provides more information. Based on a croft, children gain a countryside living experience involved daily with all the animals as well as quality childcare and opportunities to explore and play in a natural environment.

Nurtured by Nature, Uddingston*

Established in 2023. Takes a Frobelian approach alongside the Curiosity Approach.

The Nature Nursery Montessori Ltd, Lanark*

The name says it all – an outdoor Montessori nursery!

Off-Grid Kids After-School Club, Clarkston and Kirkhill, East Renfrewshire*

An outdoor out-of-school service that is the first to be registered with the Care Inspectorate. It has a Forest School ethos and approach. There are two outdoor registered services within the organisation.

Off Grid After School has been operating as Scotlands first outdoor based after school for over 5 years now.The fenced and gated urban woods used are very central within Clarkston. The Scout Hall beside the woods is used for toilets and changing areas. Whilst we are outdoors, the physical time spent in the woods is approximately 2hrs per session during term time, and 5hrs during the Holiday Clubs run during Easter & Summer Breaks. They are registered for up to 52 children and collect from 4 local schools: 3 on foot and 1 by minibus.

The Orchard Nature Nursery, Dumfriesshire

This nursery is very outdoorsy and this is evident from their website, ethos and emphasis.

Perth Outdoor Playgroup

Perth Outdoor Playgroup, POP is a group for parents and children to get outside and play together in the woods. They meet every Monday morning at Kinnoull Hill. The group is aimed at children aged 1-5 but older and younger siblings are welcome to come too.

Puddleducks Outdoor Nursery, Dunecht, Aberdeenshire*

Opened in September 2024, an outdoor nursery that is part of a chain of mainstream private nurseries.

Riverside Cottage Nursery, Bathgate, West Lothian*

This homely nursery is the vision of Sharon Coyle, who sadly passed away just after it opened in 2011. It has a strong outdoor emphasis and many of the staff have undergone Froebel training. It remains a family-run business and prides itself on the homely and caring environment.

Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery, Fife*

This outdoor nursery, founded by the late Cathy Bache, BME, is well-established and began as a child-minding service in 2004. It has a very detailed website which is worth reading to find out more about the life and approach. It is formally recognised as the first registered outdoor provider by the Care Inspectorate. This film was made many years ago but is wonderful to watch.

Silver Birch Outdoor Nursery, Dunoon, Argyll & Bute*

This is a local authority-run outdoor nursery and one of several Scotland-wide that have been set up through the early years expansion in 2021.

Stramash Outdoor Nurseries, Argyll, Highland and Moray*

Stramash, an Argyll-based outdoor social enterprise, have four outdoor nurseries in Oban, Fort William, Tornagrain and Elgin. Given that Fort William purportedly has only 30 rain-free days per year, this nursery demonstrates that outdoor play whatever the weather is the way to go! Check out the lively Facebook page and wonderful videos on their website.

Vogrie Outdoor ELC, Midlothian*

The first registered Local Authority Outdoor Nursery in Scotland. Based in Vogrie’s beautiful Walled Garden and making use of the whole country park this setting provides outdoor experiences like no other. Contact Vogrie_ELC@midlothian.gov.uk

Wellie Boots Childminding, Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire

This is a childminding service that is based on a farm and has an outdoor philosophy. Its not clear how much time is spent outside but the Facebook photos suggests almost all!

Wellington School Outdoor Nursery, Ayr

This private school in Ayr has an outdoor nursery as part of its provision which operates from a satellite site in Alloway. How much of a full-blown outdoor nursery it is, is unclear and it may be an option only for those that specifically request it.

Welly Walkers Childminding Family, Portsoy, Aberdeenshire

This childcare service has been totally out the home now since August 2020. They have a cabin base in the garden for shelter and use the forest and beach in the village for Forest Kindergarten sessions. They are passionate about using their community to its potential. Check out the Facebook page.

Wild Child Forest Kindergarten, Falkirk

An outdoor childminding service based in Falkirk. Opened in 2022. Check out their Facebook page too.

Wild Sparks Outdoor Nursery, Coupar Angus, Perthshire*

This is a part-time outdoor nursery that is growing slowly in line with demand from local parents. Opened in January 2017 by Alice Warren and Sarah Hutcheson who have reams of experience running Forest School and nature play sessions.

Wild Wellies Outdoor Kindergarten – Childminding, Stirling

Checkout the Facebook page for more information. Opened in Autumn 2017.

W.I.L.D. Forest School Out of School Care, Glasgow

This is an outdoor after school and holiday programme for primary aged children. Opened in 2021 and part of a larger Community Interest Company called Wild Woodland Learning.

Willow Den Scotland – Edinburgh and Falkirk*

Willow Den emerged from the Thrive Outdoors team and supports the wider establishment of outdoor nurseries in Scotland. It has two outdoor nurseries, one in Edinburgh and the other in Falkirk. The Edinburgh one can be seen in the video below – and there are more videos available on their YouTube channel.

Wonder Woods Woodland Nursery, near West Calder, West Lothian*

This outdoor nursery was established in 2020 by Simply Play, an organisation that supports play schemes, out of school care and much more across West Lothian with a strong reputation for high quality play experiences.

Woodlands Outdoor Kindergartens, Glasgow*

There are two kindergartens operating in different parts of Glasgow. The original one, opened in 2009 uses Pollock Country Park. Both are very established outdoor settings. The video below is dated but worth a watch