A typical session starts with the staff setting up several stations around the garden space; some are mainstays of the group like our Circle Time space and the Mud Kitchen, whilst others are rotated on the curriculum’s basis, like berry-painting and fort making. Whilst several of these stations are set up before families arrive, we encourage both parents and their children to engage with whatever parts of the garden and activities take their attention, to help set up activities they would like, and to help clear them away. Furthermore, if they choose to explore the wooded areas over a prescribed activity, we appreciate both the importance of their choices and the benefits of this exploration and explain to the parents how their motor skills and minds develop when they do this.

The structure of our sessions begins with “circle time”, where we sit around the colourful blankets and sing a song that introduces everyone, an activity which encourages both inclusion and a discussion of the week’s themes. We also aim to finish the session with a similar song denoting the end of the session and chatting about what the children and parents got out of it. The only other event that breaks up the activities and exploration is our snack time, which is completely optional but also provides a time and space to sit down, relax and reflect on the day with staff and other families. Steps to Grow has taken place during the hottest days of summer and the coldest of winter, and we make sure to have activities and snacks to reflect the weather, and over the months of our sessions we have seen children and parents grow in their confidence and interest in using outdoor spaces both in and outwith our group.