About Us

What Makes us Different?

At Auchlone we use nature to provide children with authentic learning opportunities that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Our beautiful woodland setting inspires their imagination and encourages creativity, independence and resilience. Whether we’re ‘Inside, Outside or Beyond’ every learning experience at Auchlone connects children to nature.

Our highly consultative environment encourages children to explore curricular concepts using higher order thinking, problem solving, self-risk-assessing and complex language.

Journeys are a key part of our work - learning journeys over time as well as physical journeys around the land.

Auchlone provides a warm, nurturing, family ethos based on mutual respect.

Our Awards

We're proud of our multi-award winning status. We've worked hard to create a caring and learning environment that is widely considered sector leading and is recognised internationally as a centre of excellence.

"We chose Auchlone Nature Kindergarten because they demonstrated a high quality outdoor living classroom that inspires and excited children. The children were very much involved in decision making and planning. Overall the nursery provides fantastic life skill opportunities that the children can use with confidence." NMT award judges

Best Outdoor Learning Environment - Runn

Our Vision

Children are at the heart of everything we do.

We are a small, friendly kindergarten. Our experienced and qualified staff have a real passion for outdoor learning and early years education. We aim to:

provide a safe and stimulating environment in which children can feel happy and secure.
provide children with a very naturalistic environment indoors, in the garden and in the wild woods where they are encouraged and supported to take risks and become the risk assessors.
encourage the emotional, social, physical, creative and intellectual development of children both indoors and outdoors.
promote the welfare of children and encourage their independence through the use of appropriate praise and reassurance.
encourage positive attitudes to self and others, and develop confidence and self-esteem.
create opportunities for both indoor and outdoor play which, at times, is challenging both physically and mentally.
encourage children to explore, appreciate and respect their environment.
provide opportunities to stimulate interest and imagination.
extend children's abilities to communicate ideas and feelings in a variety of ways.
promote a close relationship with parents and the community.
promote liaison between the Kindergarten and local Primary schools.