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.
Seasonal garden-to-table learning, including sowing seeds, caring for fruit and vegetables, as well as harvesting and preparing produce provides children with an important, life-long understanding of where food comes from. Alongside this, they become young naturalists, observing, investigating and caring for the plants, animals and habitats that make the garden a living ecosystem.
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 a friendly experienced Primary teacher.
About Avara
Is Avara the same as Forest School?
No. Avara is an outdoor classroom where children learn through food growing, nature study, literacy, maths and meaningful experiences in the garden. Children lead the exploration, while a qualified teacher thoughtfully guides them to observe, question, investigate and discover.
Beginning with shared, exploratory sessions for babies and toddlers as Garden Explorers, children build confidence, curiosity, and independence. As they develop, they engage more deeply with carefully considered experiences, strengthening early language, understanding, and a sense of responsibility through meaningful interactions with the natural world.
By the time children become Garden Investigators (4-7 years old) and Garden Rangers (8-11 years old), they become part of a small, nurturing group where literacy and numeracy 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.
Working alongside others, children develop friendships, learn to cooperate, take turns and feel part of something together.
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 warm, qualified and experienced teacher who is passionate about helping children develop confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning through the world around them. Families are 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.
Garden 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.
Garden Investigators (4-7) & Garden Rangers (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. They build up a scrapbook through instant photos, notes, sketches, and however else they'd like to record their discoveries. 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.
Families come together for a celebration at the end of the block to reflect on their learning, share special memories and celebrate everything the children have discovered together.
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.