At Little Mowgli Nursery, every day is an opportunity for children to grow, explore, and develop essential life skills in a nurturing environment. We design each moment of the day with purpose, guided by the EYFS Statutory Framework (Early Years Foundation Stage) — a set of standards ensuring every child learns and develops through a structured yet flexible routine.
But what truly sets Little Mowgli apart is how we seamlessly blend indoor learning with outdoor exploration. In this article, we take you through a typical day at our nursery while highlighting the importance of outdoor games, physical activity, and play-based learning.
🌞 8:00 AM – Warm Welcomes & Settling In
As children arrive, they’re greeted by familiar, friendly faces. The morning is calm and gentle, helping children settle in and feel secure. Children are encouraged to choose from soft play, books, puzzles, or role-play areas.
This quiet, low-pressure start supports the EYFS prime areas of personal, social, and emotional development. It’s also a wonderful time for parents to pass on any information to the caregivers.
🧠 9:00 AM – Indoor Learning & Exploration
Our first structured activity block begins with learning-rich play. Children rotate through literacy, numeracy, and creative stations, where they’re introduced to letters, numbers, and hands-on crafts.
Benefits of Indoor Games for Kids:
- Enhance fine motor skills (puzzles, threading, drawing)
- Improve problem-solving and cognitive thinking (block building, storytelling)
- Foster cooperation and communication
Indoor games also provide a quieter setting for children to focus and develop concentration—an important foundation for future schooling.
🌳 10:30 AM – Outdoor Play & Nature Exploration
One of the highlights of our day is outdoor play. Whether it’s free play or guided group activities, we recognize the importance of outdoor play for children in their early years.
Children run, climb, dig, and explore in our secure outdoor environment, gaining much more than just fresh air.
Physical Health Through Outdoor Games:
- Develops gross motor skills (running, jumping, balancing)
- Enhances coordination and strength
- Promotes healthy sleep and appetite
Outdoor activities also help children regulate emotions and reduce stress. Regular exposure to nature fosters curiosity and a sense of adventure, supporting the EYFS learning goal of understanding the world.
Popular Outdoor Activities for Kids:
- Obstacle courses
- Water play and sand exploration
- Gardening and planting seeds
- Nature scavenger hunts
- Parachute games
Each activity is a building block for confidence, resilience, and teamwork. And yes, we let kids get muddy — because that’s how real learning happens!
🥗 12:00 PM – Lunchtime & Social Skills
Meals at Little Mowgli are more than just nourishment — they’re learning moments. Children eat together in small groups, practicing self-help skills like pouring water, using cutlery, and tidying up.
This time nurtures independence and teaches social manners, patience, and gratitude. Teachers also use this time to talk with the children, reinforcing language development and encouraging healthy food choices.
😴 1:00 PM – Nap or Quiet Time
After a stimulating morning, children are ready for rest. Some nap, while others enjoy calming activities such as soft music, sensory play, or looking through books.
The EYFS framework emphasizes the importance of rest for young children’s cognitive processing and emotional regulation. We honor each child’s individual needs during this peaceful hour.
🎨 2:00 PM – Afternoon Enrichment
Afternoons are for discovery and creativity. Thematic activities include music and movement, messy art, cooking, and storytelling. These sessions are designed to inspire imagination while reinforcing key early learning goals.
Children may also revisit outdoor games or participate in nature-based experiments — weather permitting. We believe in blending indoor and outdoor learning for a well-rounded experience.
🌈 3:30 PM – Free Play & Reflective Circle Time
Before pick-up, children wind down with free choice time and a group reflection. Circle time helps children:
- Share what they learned
- Celebrate small achievements
- Build vocabulary and speaking confidence
This end-of-day ritual brings closure, reinforces memory, and fosters emotional connection.
Why Outdoor Play Matters at Little Mowgli
We wholeheartedly believe in highlighting the importance of outdoor games. In an age where screens are increasingly present, giving children space to run, build, and play freely is crucial.
The EYFS Statutory Framework supports outdoor learning as essential for physical development and overall well-being. By offering a safe and engaging outdoor setting, we give children:
- Greater independence
- Better risk assessment
- Stronger immune systems
- Improved attention spans
We don’t view outdoor play as a break from learning — it is learning.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Nursery
At Little Mowgli Nursery, we go beyond care — we craft enriching days full of movement, creativity, connection, and growth. With a balance of indoor structure and outdoor adventure, our days reflect the very best of early childhood education.
Every game played, every seed planted, and every story shared is an investment in a child’s future.
📍 Want to experience a day at Little Mowgli? Visit us at littlemowgli to schedule a tour or learn more.
FAQs
1. What makes outdoor play important for children at Little Mowgli?
Outdoor play is crucial for children’s physical health, coordination, and emotional well-being. At Little Mowgli, we prioritize outdoor games to help kids develop gross motor skills, social interaction, and a connection with nature, all supported by the EYFS Statutory Framework.
2. How does Little Mowgli incorporate the EYFS Statutory Framework in daily activities?
Our curriculum is fully aligned with the EYFS, ensuring each child’s development is nurtured across communication, physical development, personal, social, and emotional growth through structured indoor learning and free outdoor play.
3. What are the benefits of indoor games for kids at Little Mowgli?
Indoor games at Little Mowgli enhance fine motor skills, cognitive development, problem-solving, and cooperation. Activities like puzzles, drawing, and storytelling help build concentration and communication skills in a calm setting.
4. How does outdoor play promote physical health in young children?
Outdoor games encourage running, jumping, climbing, and balancing, which strengthen muscles, improve coordination, and promote cardiovascular health. Exposure to fresh air and sunlight also supports immune function and better sleep patterns.
5. What types of outdoor activities do children enjoy at Little Mowgli?
Children engage in obstacle courses, nature hunts, water and sand play, gardening, and group games like parachute play — all designed to develop physical skills, teamwork, and a love for the outdoors.
6. How does Little Mowgli ensure children’s safety during outdoor play?
Our outdoor environment is secure, well-supervised, and designed with child safety in mind. Educators are trained to encourage safe risk-taking and to guide children in assessing their own limits while playing.
7. How does rest time fit into the daily schedule?
Rest or nap time is essential for children’s brain development and emotional regulation. Little Mowgli provides a calm space for children to relax, recharge, or enjoy quiet activities as needed.
8. Can parents observe the EYFS framework being implemented?
Yes, parents are encouraged to engage with staff and observe how daily activities are planned around the EYFS goals, ensuring children receive balanced development tailored to their needs.
9. Why is balancing indoor and outdoor play essential?
Combining indoor and outdoor activities offers a holistic approach, allowing children to develop a range of skills—fine and gross motor, cognitive, emotional, and social—in environments suited to different types of learning.
10. How does Little Mowgli prepare children for the transition to school?
Through play-based learning, social skill development, and structured activities aligned with the EYFS, children build confidence, independence, and foundational knowledge that eases their transition to formal schooling.