Gardening at Nursery: Growing Minds and Green Spaces in Reigate

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news from our Reigate nursery—our very own gardening club is officially up and running! This new initiative offers children a wonderful hands-on opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with nature. From planting vegetables to creating beautiful flower pots for the windows, our little green thumbs have been hard at work.

Gardening at nursery isn’t just a fun way to spend time outdoors—it’s also a powerful learning experience that supports many areas of development outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. According to the EYFS, activities like gardening encourage physical development, understanding of the world, and communication and language skills. It also nurtures a sense of responsibility and teamwork as children work together to care for their plants.

A Growing Opportunity

Our Reigate nursery’s gardening club is already off to a blooming start. The children have planted a variety of fruits and vegetables, learning what plants need to grow, how to water them, and the importance of sunlight. These simple but meaningful experiences teach children about the natural world in a way that is engaging, hands-on, and age-appropriate.

They’ve also been busy planting flower pots for the nursery’s window planters. Not only do these bright, colorful displays bring joy to the rooms, but they also give children a sense of pride in their creations. Watching the flowers bloom and vegetables grow is incredibly rewarding—and a beautiful way to teach patience and care.

Learning Through Gardening

Gardening at nursery supports several key EYFS learning areas:

• Understanding the World: Children explore life cycles, seasons, and the environment through real-life observation and hands-on activity.

• Physical Development: Digging, watering, and planting strengthen fine and gross motor skills.

• Communication and Language: As children talk about what they see and do, they expand their vocabulary and improve conversational skills.

• Personal, Social, and Emotional Development: Gardening fosters collaboration and helps children develop empathy and responsibility.

These rich learning opportunities help build a solid foundation for future education while also offering children a calm, mindful activity that connects them with nature.

A Beautiful Beginning

The joy and excitement on the children’s faces as they care for their garden is something truly special. Whether they’re digging holes for seeds, checking for new sprouts, or proudly pointing out the flowers they planted, each moment in the garden is filled with curiosity and discovery.

We’re incredibly proud of our Reigate nursery team for launching this inspiring new gardening club. It’s a beautiful addition to the nursery day and one that we hope will blossom for years to come.

If you’d like to learn more about our gardening activities or visit our Reigate nursery, we’d love to show you around. Let’s keep growing together!