About
About Nurturing Wild
Nurturing Wild Ltd is an Early Years education, nature-based outdoor play specialist provider. Offering outdoor nature-based play sessions for families with children under 5 years of age in South-East London. Nurturing Wild delivers Early Years outdoor education training and consultancy for nurseries, pre-schools and other education settings.
Our Mission - ‘Let nature spark the play!’
Nurturing Wild is on a mission to help inspire busy parents and educators to support their child’s learning, development and wellbeing through nature-based outdoor play. Every child deserves a healthy and happy childhood spent playing outdoors connected with nature.
Our Values
Play: Play is at the heart of all we do—we champion child-led play outdoors where learning happens naturally through hands-on exploration.
Curiosity: Learning never stops—we stay informed by the latest research, pedagogy foundations and continually explore new ways to deepen our practice to support children's learning and development.
Nature Connection: Children are future custodians of our planet—we create meaningful connection to nature through caring for and learning about wildlife, celebrating nature-based stories, and knowing even small actions can make a difference.
Community: We're rooted in our local community—actively partnering with green spaces and local organisations to bring families together, build connections, and support parents and children to thrive.
Inclusive: We believe outdoor play is for all—reducing barriers where we can, welcoming children with diverse needs, and championing public green spaces for every child.
Wellbeing: Nature nurtures and provides health and wellbeing benefits for adults and children alike through time spent outdoors.
About Julia Packwood
Julia Packwood is the founder of Nurturing Wild Ltd, an Early Years education specialist in nature-based outdoor play. She is a consultant and trainer with over 20 years’ experience in education as a primary school teacher, senior leader and is a qualified Forest School leader.
She brings her wealth of experience, passion and knowledge of outdoor learning together with her own experiences as a mum to her mission of inspiring parents and educators to get outside with their children and reconnect with nature.
My Story
My journey began as a child...
...in Wales growing up in the 1980’s free from screens. This was back when children had an Etch-a-Sketch rather than an iPad! Raised alongside my three siblings, we spent long periods of time in free play outdoors.
Since the age of 5...
I wanted to teach to support children’s learning and I qualified as a primary school teacher, BA(ED)QTS, in 2003. My experience is wide ranging, and this gives me broad insight into child development and education.
Initially I taught in a special school for children with severe, profound and multiple disabilities (PMLD). Then I worked across key stage 1 and 2 in mainstream primary schools in inner London, leading as a science coordinator and a literacy and phonics coordinator. Can you believe that when I first started teaching, I used to wear high heels to work?!
Following my time in Key Stage 1 and 2, I transitioned to Early Years, teaching nursery and Reception classes before stepping into senior leadership.
The footwear swiftly changed…
Then I stepped out of the classroom to focus on becoming a mum. My eldest child loved spending so much time playing outdoors that it sparked memories of my own childhood. Being sleep deprived as a new parent, I also began to notice that being out in nature boosted my wellbeing.
Rather than return to school…
I took a leap and trained as a Level 3 Forest School leader and am now based in a classroom ‘without walls’ – the outdoors! I am so passionate about Early Years child development and everything related to outdoor play and nature. I want to help parents and educators to understand why outdoor play and nature connection is vitally important in childhood today.
We all have free access to local green spaces to make this happen. Setting up my own business, Nurturing Wild Ltd, is a steep learning curve but as a purpose-led business on a mission to get children playing outdoors and connected with nature, I am excited to see where this muddy journey leads!
Join me on the adventure!
What my clients say
Julia has really helped to cultivate my daughter’s interest in nature. She’s so excited to hunt for bugs and inspect the tadpole development. It’s such a lovely guided session to share with her whatever the weather.
I am so happy to have discovered Nurturing Wild. My daughter has absolutely loved the exploratory play and activities. The sessions are very relaxed and child-led and a definite highlight of our week.
My son has absolutely loved the sessions! It was evident to see how he progressed and developed each week, learning something new each time. We love the well-chosen story, activities and the bubbles!
