Q. We want to put more of an emphasis on play and learning in our outdoor area, but a couple of our staff members are reluctant to go outdoors. How do others tackle this?
Emma Comer, director, Tall Trees Kindergarten
‘We started doing outdoor learning 16 years ago and have it embedded in our practice. We explain during interviews for potential staff that practitioners will be out in all weather. Candidates can decide whether that is right for them or not.
‘If a nursery is just starting to introduce outdoor learning, that is harder. You need to explain to practitioners the benefits of being outside for children. For example, it enables much higher oxygen absorption, which boosts a child’s brain development and function. And it’s really important for their mental health.
‘Providing outdoor clothing for children and staff is important. We provide a thin waterproof jacket that staff can wear over more or less layers, depending on temperature. We also provide waterproof trousers, but that might not be necessary for every nursery. There are lots of other things to think about when going outside. You need sun hats and sun cream for summer. And in the winter, if waterproofs get wet, where will you dry them?
‘It takes a big chunk out of the day for practitioners to get all the children ready to go outside, come back in again, and clean them up. At our nursery we thought of ways to free up time for staff. For example, we have a policy not to have any big display boards. Our children don’t make things that practitioners then have to spend a long time cutting out, mounting and putting up. Anything they make, they take home.’
Menna Godfrey, pedagogical lead, Quackers Playgroup 
‘Clothing is important, but most important is attitude. Staff generally want to do what is best for children and they have concerns – particularly when it comes to going outside. They worry about safety or the cold. Whether those concerns are genuine or not, they are there, and as the leader of a setting, you have got to be good at listening to concerns and helping people move on from them.
‘If they are concerned about risks, such as falling off logs, refer them to information around risk outdoors and how to manage it confidently. Indoors, people do not see risk in the same way. You need to demystify some of those things, and also help practitioners understand that outdoors they can teach children to start managing their own risk.
‘Staff have to appreciate that outdoors is a really good place to learn. Skill-up staff to understand what their role is outdoors. Point them to articles online, such as those in Nursery World. And help them to understand how outdoor curriculum possibilities link into the Early Years Foundation Stage, or other curricula in Wales or Scotland. When you are playing in mud, for example, you can have great conversations and introduce new vocabulary.
‘I would also advise leaders to model for staff. Don’t stay in your nice warm office and send out your team on a cold day – get out there too, if possible. Coach, value and support your team.’
Husnara Khanom, deputy manager, Rangers Kindergarten 
‘We have two settings – one is fully outdoor, one is indoor. We had an issue a few years ago when we wanted staff at the indoor nursery to spend more time outside. They were reluctant. The setting only had a small outdoor space – we wanted children to get out into the community and play in local parks.
‘We realised we were not treating staff the same way as children. Whereas we sent detailed information to parents about how to dress children for going outdoors, such as how many layers of clothes to wear, we were not giving staff the same attention. At our outdoor kindergarten, practitioners were outside almost all day and were fully kitted out with appropriate clothing for any weather. We recognised we needed to give the same attention to staff going out for just a few hours.
‘We gave those staff some extra money to purchase good quality outdoor clothing. That made such a difference, and they felt happy that their employer was investing in them. We also bought ten waterproof jackets and big woolly jumpers for staff to share. We make sure there are always enough to go around.
‘We also noticed staff were finding it challenging to push the babies around in prams in wet and windy weather. To make this easier, we invested in big 4x4 push-buses. Staff can pop all the children into these quickly, they only need to put over one large rain cover, and they are more comfortable to push. This physically took off some strain on the staff.
‘Our team’s attitude is completely different now. They spend a good 70 per cent of time outdoors, quite happily.’
