Nursery World - Room for growth

Put a natural resource in your outdoor area for enjoyment and learning all year round, as Liz Fox discovers Willow structures, as many early years settings are finding, are an ideal way to provide fresh learning experiences and play opportunities for young children in the outdoor area, especially in the summer months.

Willow structures, as many early years settings are finding, are an ideal way to provide fresh learning experiences and play opportunities for young children in the outdoor area, especially in the summer months.

Great Crosby Primary School in Liverpool planted a willow tunnel and dome in January, and it has now sprouted to form a dense and leafy canopy. Head teacher Peter O'Dowd says the living willow has been an enormous success with the nursery children. 'The children are just mesmerised by it. They play in the tunnel at every opportunity,' he says. 'They were fascinated when the willow started to grow and the buds slowly turned to leaves.'

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included