Introducing the Zahrada je taky třída portal
Published: 8. december 2025
The new online portal Zahrada je taky třída expands the long‑term vision of the Garden Transformations programme. It is built on the conviction that a school garden is not only a place for play, but a fully fledged outdoor classroom where children learn, explore the world and develop a relationship with nature through everyday contact.
Every school garden has the potential to become a place of discovery, growth and joy. The portal offers reliable information and methodological support to anyone wishing to turn a school garden into an inspiring learning environment.
„Aktivity nadačního programu Proměny zahrad v oblasti podpory venkovní výuky a vytváření know‑how tvorby kvalitních školních zahrad jsou velice rozsáhlé. Proto vítám, že máme nový prostor, který poskytuje spolehlivé a ověřené informace zřizovatelům, učitelům, ředitelům nebo studentům a studentkám krajinářské architektury.“
Junior Project Manager, Transformations of Gardens Programme
Garden transformation at a glance
The section Proměna zahrady krok za krokem (step‑by‑step garden transformation) outlines everything the process involves and explains why it is not limited to the visible shaping of the space.
It guides school founders, leadership and teachers through each phase of the transformation process, from the initial garden assessment to project planning, financing and long‑term sustainability. It also includes recommendations on how to involve parents, the wider community and experts so that the transformation has broad support and real impact.
How to teach outdoors
The second main section focuses on outdoor education: Jak učit venku. In our approach, the school garden becomes a living classroom where children learn through all their senses, gaining experiences that indoor learning cannot provide.
The portal offers teachers a comprehensive set of thematic areas, practical tips and ready‑to‑use activities that help them use the garden meaningfully and safely throughout the year.
Education centres
Those interested in outdoor education can explore a dedicated section Pro zájemce o venkovní vzdělávání with an overview of the foundation’s educational centers. Nursery schools that have successfully completed a garden transformation with us and belong among the leaders in outdoor learning now serve as foundation educational centers.
„Education centres allow us to pass on proven knowledge and practical experience directly from nursery schools that teach outdoors every day. Our colleagues offer teachers and university students the chance to see high‑quality outdoor pedagogical work with children in real life. This is proving to be an effective way to build teachers’ confidence in using outdoor environments meaningfully and safely.“
Project Manager Junior, Garden Transformations Programme
„As the first Czech university, we introduced a course dedicated to outdoor learning in nursery schools. The course is closely linked to practice. Students design their own activities for outdoor environments, take part in an excursion to the inspiring DUHA Soběslav nursery school and learn how to create a school‑garden concept based on the philosophy ‘The garden is also a classroom’. This approach develops creativity, collaboration and responsibility among future teachers.“
Head of the Department of Primary and Pre‑Primary Pedagogy, University of South Bohemia
„We are grateful that with the foundation’s support we could create a garden that now serves as a full‑fledged place for learning and everyday life. Becoming an education centre allows us to share our experience and support other nursery schools on their own journey towards meaningful garden transformation and outdoor learning.“
Principal, MŠ V. Makovského, Ostrava‑Poruba
Content for a wider audience
The portal also offers expert and popular‑science content in the section Zajímavosti z oboru. It features research findings on how much time children actually spend outdoors, materials that help schools adapt their gardens to climate change and interviews with experts in outdoor learning.
Visitors will also find inspiration for Měsíc školních zahrad (School Garden Month), including ideas and materials for activities that encourage children’s outdoor time.
The Zahrada je taky třída portal supports our long‑term ambition to make outdoor learning and the idea that The Garden is also a Classroom a natural part of thinking about high‑quality early childhood education across the Czech Republic.
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