It’s a funny thing — inside, the room hums with energy. The children are running, laughing, negotiating space, sometimes a little too enthusiastically for our liking. We glance at one another and agree: time to take it outside.
The moment we step into the open air, the shift begins. There’s an initial burst of running and climbing — the joy of movement in wide-open space. But it never lasts as long as we expect. Soon, we see them gathered under the shade of an old tree, crouched in the grass, or huddled together in our outdoor collapsible structures. They talk, they share, they imagine. It’s as if the freedom of the outdoors allows them to settle, to connect in a calmer way.
When we first opened, we were concerned about our lack of an attached outdoor space. Would the walks to nearby greenspaces disrupt the flow of the day? Would the children miss the ease of stepping straight out the door? But as the seasons have shifted, so has our perspective. We’ve discovered that the city greenspaces — with their grass, towering trees, and open sky — are more than enough. They offer variety, beauty, and the sense of going somewhere, which the children seem to love.
Now, what once felt like a challenge feels like a gift. Our outdoor adventures have become an anticipated part of the day — not just a release of energy, but a chance for connection, observation, and joy. The children don’t just play outside; they belong there.
Rosetta
