Where learning grows naturally
A small, Finnish-inspired outdoor learning space for children from birth to 11 years old.
Nestled within the peaceful Dunton Community Garden near Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, Avara offers a calm, nature-led approach to early learning inspired by Scandinavian principles.
From shared experiences outdoors in the early years, children move gently towards a small, nurturing group where home-educated children explore literacy and maths through time in nature, supported by an experienced Primary teacher.
About Avara
At Avara, children move gently through a journey of outdoor learning.
Beginning with shared, exploratory sessions for babies and toddlers, children build confidence, curiosity, and independence. As they develop, they engage more deeply with carefully prepared experiences, strengthening early language, understanding, and a sense of responsibility through meaningful interactions with the natural world.
By the time children join Avara Outdoor Classroom, they become part of a small, nurturing group where literacy and maths are thoughtfully woven into their experiences, with lots of time for free play with new friends.
A place where children (and parents) love to be
From the moment you walk through the gate, Avara feels like a world away from everyday life. Our beautiful, enclosed community garden offers a safe, peaceful space where children learn by growing, creating, investigating and exploring the natural world around them.
At the heart of the garden is our open-sided outdoor classroom, with cosy rugs and cushions overlooking the vegetable beds, wildlife areas and open countryside beyond. Whatever the weather, it's the perfect place to gather for stories, songs, projects and shared learning before heading off to explore.
Every session is led by a qualified, experienced teacher who is passionate about helping children develop confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning through meaningful experiences in nature. Families are always welcomed with tea, coffee and a friendly face, while practical facilities, including fresh running water and a compost toilet just beside the barn, help make your visit comfortable and easy.
There really is nowhere else quite like Avara.
Avara Explorers (0–5)
A gentle, parent-attended session with puppets, songs, sensory play and first experiences in the garden.
From planting seeds to harvesting vegetables to take home, children learn first-hand about ecosystems and where their food comes from.
While you have a chance to sit down with a tea or coffee and meet other parents, your little one develops confidence, language and independence.
Whether you prefer to let them lead their own exploration, or support them with the investigations and gardening jobs, Avara Explorers is a beautiful place for wonder and discovery.
Avara Outdoor
Classroom (4-7 & 8-11)
Avara Outdoor Classroom for home-educated children is a calm 2-hour outdoor learning session, led by a qualified, experienced teacher. Literacy and maths skills are explored through meaningful, hands-on experiences in nature within a small group.
Children have time to explore, revisit, and deepen their understanding through stories, working on real-life projects together, and caring for the Avara vegetable patch. There is time for play and developing friendships with the same group of children throughout the block.
While you have a chance to enjoy some quiet time, catch up on work, read a book or chat with other home-educating parents while your child learns nearby, you have a view from the open barn or enclosed garden of your child learning and developing independence in a happy environment in nature.
Avara SEND Outdoor Classroom (4-11)
A calm, mixed-age, parent-attended outdoor learning session created for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities who thrive in small, nurturing groups. Led by a qualified teacher with extensive experience supporting children with a wide range of SEND, every session is thoughtfully adapted to meet different learning styles, communication needs and sensory preferences.
Children are free to explore the garden at their own pace while enjoying meaningful nature-based activities, from caring for vegetables and discovering wildlife to creative projects and simple investigations. There is no pressure to join every activity, allowing each child to build confidence, independence and positive experiences of learning outdoors.
Intentionally small group sizes create a peaceful, predictable environment where families can relax in the beautiful enclosed garden, enjoy a tea or coffee and connect with other parents, knowing their child is supported, understood and able to learn in a way that works for them.
Together, the children build strong foundations in learning within a calm, consistent group. Stories and poems are read beneath trees; counting and early geometry are explored through natural materials and seasonal change. Children are given time to revisit and apply their learning in ways that feel meaningful, allowing understanding and confidence to flourish.
In the Avara vegetable patch, children plant, tend and care for their own small part of the garden, returning each week to notice how it changes.
Through these shared, hands-on experiences, they begin to understand responsibility in a natural and meaningful way.
Working alongside others, they develop friendships, learning to cooperate, take turns and feel part of something together.
