Garden Transformation brings Outdoor Learning to a Nursery School in Urmston

A nursery school in Urmston has recently reopened its newly transformed garden, giving children a fantastic space to learn and play outdoors.

Old Crofts Bank Nursery School, part of the Storal group, has recently undergone a garden refurbishment, turning its outdoor area into an engaging space designed to spark curiosity and encourage hands-on learning.

The project has reimagined the nursery’s outdoor space, turning it into a purposeful and stimulating environment designed to support early years learning and development. Children at Old Crofts Bank Nursery are now able to enjoy a new garden that balances physical activity, imaginative play, as well as quiet learning areas.

A garden designed for learning and discovery

The newly transformed garden now includes:

• Dedicated planting area – Children can plant fruit and vegetables, all the while learning about ecology, healthy eating, and the journey produce takes from soil to table. This initiative also contributes to the nursery’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainability and environmental awareness, which supports its goal of achieving Eco School status.
• Mud kitchen – A sensory play area where children can mix, experiment, and create using natural materials. The planting section within this area is already in use, with children growing their own produce.
• Outdoor reading area – A peaceful space for storytelling and independent reading, encouraging language development and imagination.
• Physical play & exploration zones – Including climbing structures, balancing features, and interactive elements to help develop gross motor skills, confidence, and problem solving abilities.
• Woodland & wildlife area – Featuring bug hotels, a rustic hut, and a wildflower planting space to support biodiversity and help children develop a connection with nature.
• Sustainable & nature-inspired elements – By incorporating high-quality, eco-friendly materials, this eco-conscious design will stand the test of time whilst ensuring a sustainable and enriching outdoor learning environment.

Supporting Eco School Status

The refurbishment aligns with Storal’s commitment to sustainability and provides children with a holistic education, achieved through a focus on creating wholesome experiences. The addition of bee-friendly spaces, vegetable patches, and an emphasis on kinesthetic learning will help the nursery work towards achieving Eco School status.

Through these initiatives, children will gain a deeper understanding of nature and the food cycle, from planting seeds to harvesting and enjoying their own homegrown produce.

Faz Mahmood, Project Manager at Storal, comments: “Our vision for this garden was to create an outdoor space that inspires curiosity, creativity, and a love for nature. We wanted a space where children can explore freely, develop essential life skills, and engage in hands-on learning in a safe and sustainable environment. I am proud to have delivered this transformation. To watch the garden take shape and see the children enjoy their new space is fantastic.”

Sarah Austin, Nursery Manager at Old Crofts Bank, comments: “Our children love being outdoors, and this new space gives them more opportunities than ever to explore, learn, and grow. The different zones provide a variety of play experiences – from imaginative storytelling in the reading area to developing physical skills on climbing structures.

We’ve seen how much the children enjoy the mud kitchen, and now they can engage more directly with planting and nature. The improvements also mean that all 86 children can be outside at the same time, whatever the season, with covered areas allowing year-round outdoor learning.”

Sarah Mackenzie, CEO of Storal, comments: “The completion of the garden refurbishment marks a significant step forward for Old Crofts Bank Nursery School, reinforcing Storal’s dedication to providing high-quality early years education in an environment that nurtures curiosity, independence, and a connection with nature.”

For further information, please visit https://www.storal.com/nursery-school/old-crofts-bank-nursery-school.