5 Recommended Outdoor Nurseries in Edinburgh
- Nikki Miller
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Finding the ideal nursery is crucial for new parents, especially when considering childcare needs alongside career and enriching experiences for your child. We recommend exploring these highly-regarded, established outdoor nurseries in Edinburgh.
Do children really spend all day outdoors?
These 'Outdoor Nurseries' reassure us that the children spend most of their time outside. A big part of the fun and learning is embracing the weather, inviting children to actively help adapt base camps and shelters when the weather is challenging. They use a variety of heat sources in their shelters to keep rest times warm and cosy. They work with parents to ensure children are dressed appropriately for the outdoors, providing puddle suits and practical clothing tips so every child is ready to play and learn whatever the weather. Outdoor nurseries also have indoor accommodation that can be used in extreme weather.
We always advise visiting a few nurseries and trusting your instincts, as well as getting recommendations from other parents if you can.
North Edinburgh
Contact: 94 Pilton Drive, EH5 2HF
0131 376 0080
Capacity: 24
Age: 3yrs -5yrs
Open: 8am - 5pm (5o weeks a year)
Minimum booking: 1 Full Day
Full Day Fee: £66 (Fully funded places with 1140 free hours a year for 3 & 4 year olds and eligible two year olds).
Included In Fees: 2 course hot lunch and snacks (possible clothing).
Outdoor Experiences: Located in Ainslie Park Football Stadium, Willow Den at Spartans offers a unique woodland setting.
Specialists & Extra Activities: Our nature-based nursery perfect environment to connect with nature, climbing, swinging, build a den or have fun in our mud kitchen.
Ratings: 4,4,4,4 =16 Good (Nov 2024)
West Edinburgh
Contact: 13 Wester Coates Terrace, EH12 5LR
0131 346 7398
Capacity: 26
Age: 3yrs - 5yrs
Open: 8.15am-2.45pm (term time only)
Minimum booking: 3 sessions Under 3's , Full time over 3's
Full Day Fee: £55 (Fully funded places with 1140 free hours a year for 3 & 4 year olds and eligible two year olds).
Includes: Hot Lunch & Snacks
Outdoor Experiences: Large garden with lots of outdoor learning facilities - predominantly outside
Specialists & Extra Activities: Outdoor classroom
Ratings: 6,6,6,6 =22 Excellent (Feb 2017 & Mar 2019)
Contact: Lower Parkhead, Hopetoun Estate, South Queensferry, EH30 9SL
01383 279380
Capacity: 26
Age: 2yrs - 5yrs
Open: 8am-6pm Half day sessions: 8am-1pm & 1pm-6pm (closed bank holidays and Christmas)
Minimum booking: Flexible
Full Day Fee: £55 full day £6 per hour (Fully funded places with 1140 free hours a year for 3 & 4 year olds and eligible two year olds).
Includes: Lunch & Snacks
Outdoor Experiences: Our walled garden is a secure space which hosts our main hut and toilet.
Specialists & Extra Activities: Outdoor classroom (Flexi Schooling available)
Ratings: 5,5,6,5 =21 Excellent (Jul 2024)
South Edinburgh
Contact: 294 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH13 0PU
0131 312 2200
Capacity: 40
Age: 3yrs - 5yrs
Open: 8:15am-3pm & half day sessions: 8:15am-12pm & 12pm-3pm (term-time, only)
Minimum booking: 5 Session
Full Day Fee: £3,850 Termly fee
Includes: Hot Lunch & Snacks (waterproof clothing & wellies)
Outdoor Experiences: 100 acre Merchiston campus
Specialists & Extra Activities: Specialist Outdoor Education Teachers.
Ratings: Awaiting inspection
Contact: Treetops Outdoor Nursery, Dalkeith Country Park,
Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 2NA
0330 202 1180
Capacity: 25
Age: 2yrs - 5yrs
Open: 7.30am-6pm
Minimum booking: 1 Full Day
Full Day Fee: £78 (Fully funded places with 1140 free hours a year for 3 & 4 year olds and eligible two year olds).
Includes: Breakfast, Hot Lunch & Snacks
Outdoor Experiences: Situated in Dalkeith Country Park and Adventure Playground
Specialists & Extra Activities: Fully outdoor nursery with indoor facilities for pick up and drop off and very bad weather
Ratings: 4,4,4,4 =16 Good (Aug 2023)
7 Edinburgh Council Forest Kindergarten
Edinburgh Council Offer Nursery places in their Forest Kindergartens are only available during school term time dates and are open Monday – Thursday with no provision on a Friday. Across all forest kindergarten settings the option of 2 or 4 days is available.
Bonaly. 8.30am-4pm - Bonaly Scout Centre, 71 Bonaly Road, EH13 0PB
Cammo Estate - where drop off and pick up is from site - 8.15am-3.45pm - 61A Cammo Road, Edinburgh, EH4 8AP
Corstorphine Hill, 8.15am – 3.45pm - 80A Clermiston Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6UP
Hawkhill woods, 8.30am – 4.00pm- 2A Greendykes Road, Edinburgh. EH16 4DP
Lauriston Castle, 8.15am-3.45pm - 2 Cramond Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 6AD
Newbattle Abbey College, 8.30am – 4.00pm - Newbattle Road, Dalkeith, EH22 3LL
South Queensferry (The Vat Run, off Hopetoun Road), 8.15am – 3.45pm - 26B Hopetoun Road, Edinburgh, EH30 9RH
Found out more here.
