Outdoor Learning Policy

To offer a rich extensive curriculum, the setting encourages daily use of the outdoor play spaces, regardless of the weather conditions. The exception would be heavy continuous rain or icy unsafe conditions. Children experience a wide variety of opportunities outside different to those that take place inside and this allows them a sense of freedom and exploration. In fine warm weather the nursery will be set up outside with opportunities for play inside. There are 2 gardens with free flow access to reading, growing, cooking and digging areas. There are planting troughs which enable children to sow seeds each season, plant out seedlings and harvest the crop.

 

The children really enjoy eating their home-grown vegetables and the sense of achievement this brings.

 

We have a variety of bikes, trikes and physical equipment. We also provide other equipment outdoors that you might expect indoors such as painting, drawing, dolls, buggies, cars bricks and more. We have quiet time outside where children are still, eyes closed to listen to the sounds of nature or may read a story outside under the canopy. Children can also partake in craft outdoors.

 

To assist us in promoting outdoor learning it is essential that children are clothed appropriately for their day at nursery. In winter children will require suitable named outdoor clothing including a winter coat, gloves and hat. In the summer they will require a named sun hat and sun protection cream. Please see the Sun Protection Policy.

 

Staff continue to build on their training and knowledge of outdoor learning and continually introduce new and exciting ways to help children learn in the natural environment with natural resources and materials. We also run our outdoor creative project, called the ‘Loose Parts Project’ with funding from the Pre School Learning Alliance. We have a shed with large loose parts such as tyres, crates, keyboards, tubing, fabric, large carboard rolls and so on. When materials come out, an area is sectioned off, supervised and children are encouraged to risk assess these unusual materials and respect each other’s creations. This enables children think creatively and critically and set boundaries by themselves. Research shows marked improvements in behaviour with this project and Ofsted have commented how this helped us create and maintain our Outstanding status.