Choosing a Preschool in the CBD? Why Outdoor Space Should Still Be a Priority
Play-Based Approach
Last updated on 16 April 2026
Lily Valley PreschoolLily Valley PreschoolPlay-Based Approach
Last updated on 16 April 2026
Reggio Emilia Approach
Last updated on 16 April 2026
Looking for a preschool in the CBD but noticing that many options lack outdoor areas? Many preschool options in the area are fully indoors or have only very small outdoor spaces.
It’s perfectly natural for parents to want more outdoor learning opportunities for their children.
Why does outdoor space matter so much? In this guide, we explain why choosing a preschool with outdoor learning opportunities can be an important consideration for parents, especially when it comes to early childhood development.
Outdoor play is about far more than fun for young learners. It’s an essential part of early childhood development, as you can see from its benefits below.
Children with access to outdoor spaces can more easily participate in running, climbing, and team games. These activities help build coordination, balance, and overall physical confidence.
Open-ended outdoor activities can lead to many challenges, obstacles, or puzzles. Obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, and construction projects are good examples, and they often promote cognitive growth through natural problem-solving.
Outdoor play also encourages socialisation and communication skills. Children discover teamwork, negotiation, and even conflict resolution in outdoor play, typically through games and group activities with their peers.
Outdoor spaces give children the opportunity to observe plants and animals while connecting with nature. It also lets them experience the weather and seasons. This can build their environmental awareness, as well as their appreciation of nature.
It is uncommon to find preschools with large open outdoor spaces within their compounds if they are located in the CBD.
Lily Valley Preschool is a rare exception.
From the very beginning, it was a priority for us to give children the benefits of combining indoor and outdoor play and learning.
Below are some of the outdoor learning spaces available and how children use them in their daily activities.
At Lily Valley Preschool, we have a dedicated outdoor area for water play. This space even includes a specific setup for water exploration and projects.
Here, our children engage in sensory exploration and often enjoy cooperative play with their peers.
Our dedicated outdoor play area is equipped with obstacle courses, props for fun games, and more. Children play here with their peers daily, supporting both gross motor skill development and social interaction.
In this space, we see young ones learn to interact in groups and even take turns.
Lily Valley Preschool’s Outdoor Edible Garden is always popular with young ones, as it allows them to connect with nature by growing their own plants and vegetables, including ones that they may later enjoy in their food at mealtimes!
This goes beyond simply appreciating nature by helping children understand food sources and responsibility. It also encourages them to be more curious about the natural world around them and how much of it benefits us.
In addition to the play spaces within Lily Valley Preschool’s compound, children also have access to nearby areas for outdoor enrichment.
For example, our learners use the huge boardwalk area right beside the preschool for some of their activities. This gives children the same benefits as having other well-maintained public parks to access for their exploration and discovery.
In sum, having outdoor spaces is a crucial part of the early childhood learning experience. It allows children to move seamlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a more balanced and versatile mix of learning opportunities.
Many outdoor activities support physical and motor skill development. However, it’s important to remember that they also support the growth of cognitive, problem-solving, and even social competencies.
Other less visible benefits include helping children get adequate sunlight for Vitamin D and encouraging distance focus, which supports healthy eye development.
This is why outdoor activities are part of our curriculum and the children’s daily schedule at Lily Valley Preschool. We combine our indoor ateliers and outdoor learning areas to provide the most balanced, enriching experience for the children in our care.
Come and explore our learning areas to see it for yourself. Book a school tour today!