Nature Based Play
Adventures in the Great Outdoors
Children are born explorers. Give a toddler a stick and a pile of leaves and they’ll spend an hour completely absorbed. At Morley Early Learning Centre, we honour that natural curiosity by making outdoor play a central part of every single day — rain, hail or shine.
What Nature Play Looks Like Here
Our outdoor environment isn’t a plastic playground bolted onto a yard. It’s a living, growing space designed for genuine exploration:
- A vegetable garden the children plant, water and harvest
- Fruit trees they watch flower and fruit through the seasons
- A mud kitchen with real pots, pans and natural materials
- Sand and water play areas for sensory exploration
- Climbing logs and balance beams for gross motor development
- Quiet corners with cushions, books and shade for resting
Why It Matters
Decades of research tells us that children who spend regular time outdoors develop better physical coordination, stronger immune systems, more advanced language skills, more sustained attention, and a deeper sense of calm. They also develop something less measurable but just as important: a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world that stays with them for life.
Through Every Season
Perth’s weather is generous, and we make the most of every kind of day. On hot summer mornings the children play in the shade and water. On rare wet days they pull on gumboots and stomp through puddles. On cool winter mornings they wrap up warm and watch their breath in the air. Every kind of weather offers a different kind of learning.
Our Centre Pets
Our centre is home to a number of much-loved animals that the children help care for — including our resident rabbit, quails, and birds. Caring for our centre pets teaches children gentle hands, empathy, responsibility and respect for living things. Daily interactions with the animals are some of the most cherished moments in our outdoor program.
Sustainability in Practice
We are committed to caring for our environment and teaching children the importance of sustainability in everyday life.
Children learn about sustainability through daily routines and play-based experiences. We encourage them to care for their world by:
- Using recyclable materials where possible
- Saving water by turning taps off and using half flush
- Turning lights off to save electricity
- Recycling paper and rubbish
- Taking part in garden-to-plate activities such as planting, composting and cooking
- Caring for plants and gardens
We also involve families and the wider community by sharing ideas, participating in sustainability-focused activities, and inviting families to contribute recyclable items for art and learning experiences.
Families are always welcome to share ideas or get involved — together we are helping create a better future for our children.