At a glance

Partou Bumpkins Day Nursery and Pre-school in Whaddon has been shortlisted for the Forest / Beach School of the Year award at the National NMT Nursery Awards 2026. The award recognises schools that focus on developing life skills through nature-based learning. This nomination highlights the nursery's commitment to outdoor education and its impact on children's personal and social development.

Partou Bumpkins Day Nursery and Pre-school in Whaddon has been shortlisted for Forest / Beach School of the Year at the National NMT Nursery Awards 2026. According to the organisers, the award will go to the forest or beach school “which can demonstrate their focus on developing personal, social and emotional life skills through learner led, nature-based learning.”

Situated in a beautiful rural setting in the village of Whaddon, Partou Bumpkins provides high-quality early years childcare and education for families across Royston, Bassingbourn, Meldreth and the surrounding Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire border.

Paige Martin, Partou Bumpkins Nursery Manager, said: “The setting is very lucky to have a wonderful rural space where our children can learn, explore and enjoy being outdoors every single day.

“We have been running our Forest School for the past five years and it has become such an important part of what we do.

“We really believe that children learn so much through being outside. Our children love getting messy, trying new things and having the freedom to make their own choices.

“There is never really a ‘typical” day at Forest School because the children are always finding something new to do.

“It is fantastic to be shortlisted for an NMT National Award in recognition of our work.”

Kirsty Jackson, Partou Co-Managing Director, said: “Congratulations to Paige and the team at Partou Bumpkins.

“The nursery is about so much more than being outside. It is about giving children the freedom to explore, get muddy, be creative, take safe risks, care for nature and, most importantly, have fun.

“Partou Bumpkins is a truly wonderous place, I wish the team every success.”

The NMT National Nursery Awards will be presented at an evening ceremony at Park Plaza London on 7 November 2026.

Editorial insight

Recognition at the National NMT Nursery Awards places a spotlight on early years providers that prioritise hands-on, nature-based learning. For settings like Partou Bumpkins in Whaddon, shortlisting in the Forest / Beach School of the Year category highlights a commitment to outdoor education, an approach that has gained traction among parents and educators seeking alternatives to more traditional, classroom-focused provision.

While the award is national in scope, the practical impact is often felt locally, supporting the nursery’s reputation among families in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. For providers in rural areas, making the most of natural surroundings can be a key differentiator. The recognition may also encourage other early years settings to consider the benefits of learner-led, outdoor learning at a time when interest in children’s wellbeing and resilience remains high.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Industry trend

The Growing Popularity of Forest Schools in Early Childhood Education

Investigate the increasing adoption of forest schools within early childhood education across the UK, highlighting the reasons behind their popularity and the benefits they offer to children's development.

Target audience education-focused media outlets and trade-industry publications Story potential 7/10 Research/data

Impact of Nature-Based Learning on Child Development: A Case Study of Partou Bumpkins

Examine the impact of nature-based learning on child development through a case study of Partou Bumpkins, linking it to broader research findings in the field.

Target audience health-science publications and national-news outlets Story potential 8/10