Allotment at Enchanted Wood Preschool

Our Enchanted Wood Preschool Allotment site is based in Church Road, Bexleyheath. Our Broadway site visit our allotment once a week, as they learn to grow and care for our vegetation.

The children gain so many skills whilst walking from the preschool. They learn about road safety, our local environment and what makes our community special.

Regular outdoor play is essential in early years, and our weekly visits to our allotment site provide rich, meaningful learning experiences that support children’s development across all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). 

Children have opportunities to grow their own vegetables, children engage in hands-on, purposeful play that promotes wellbeing, curiosity, and independence.

Outdoor play plays a vital role in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing and mental health, particularly in the early years. Being outdoors gives children space, freedom, and rich sensory experiences that help them feel calm, confident, and connected to the world around them.

The outdoor environments naturally support children’s emotional health by reducing stress and anxiety through open space and fresh air. It also allows children to regulate their emotions more effectively, providing a space for calm reflective play, as well as energetic release. Natural spaces such as allotments are especially beneficial, as they encourage slower, more mindful engagement.

Ultimately the allotment gives the children a sense of ownership and pride, as they care for plants in their shared spaces over a number of weeks and seasons.