Outdoor Wonder
Rooted in Montessori, Inspired by Nature
Montessori is grounded in the understanding that young children possess an extraordinary ability to absorb learning from their environment, especially when they are free to explore, move, and learn at their own pace.
At Marshwood, our expansive backyard, surrounded by trees, plants, bushes, and open natural spaces offers children the freedom to play, imagine, and discover. This outdoor environment is a seamless extension of the Montessori classroom, thoughtfully prepared to invite hands-on exploration, nurture curiousity, and connect learning to the real world.
Sandpit and Water Wall
In the sandpit, children dig, build, and explore textures as they shape their own ideas and creations. The water wall area offers opportunities to pour, splash, and experiment with movement and flow. Together, these spaces invite creativity, support sensory development, and encourage social play in a relaxed, natural setting.
Bush Track
Children enjoy wandering along the bush track—spotting bugs, gathering leaves, or pausing for a quiet moment. It is a calm, green space that invites children to slow down, explore, and feel connected to the natural world.
Nature Kitchen
A favourite among children, our Nature Kitchen invites hands-on sensory-rich play using natural materials such as mud, water, leaves, and petals. This dynamic space encourages imagination, teamwork, and sensory exploration, fostering creativity and purposeful learning through play.
Gazebo & Little House
Our gazebo is a flexible outdoor area for both children and teachers. It’s used for group times, reading, music, or simply enjoying some shade. Children often turn it into a house, shop, or stage, bringing their ideas to life through imaginative play and shared experiences.
Bug Hotel
Our Bug Hotel is a thoughtfully designed space, collaboratively created by the children as they explored how to care for their tiny visitors. As they gently place wētā, beetles, and other insects inside, the Bug Hotel becomes a safe habitat and a place for close observation. Each visit invites curiosity, respect for living things, and new discoveries shaped by the children’s own ideas and sense of wonder.