Nursery World - Case study: Ditton Church Pre-school

Many of the techniques to be included in the Toolkit have been pioneered as part of the 'Space to Grow' project involving 15 early years settings in Kent. Ditton Church Pre-school is a good example of the successful use of Learning Through Landscapes' four-stage process. Until recently, the pre-school's only available outdoor space was the car park at the front of the church centre. This enabled some outdoor play, such as with tricycles and balls, but it was not a suitable space for supporting learning experiences outdoors. However, after careful negotiations, the pre-school was given permission to use part of the garden at the rear of the building.

Ditton Church Pre-school is a good example of the successful use of Learning Through Landscapes' four-stage process. Until recently, the pre-school's only available outdoor space was the car park at the front of the church centre. This enabled some outdoor play, such as with tricycles and balls, but it was not a suitable space for supporting learning experiences outdoors. However, after careful negotiations, the pre-school was given permission to use part of the garden at the rear of the building.

An enormous task lay ahead. The garden was overgrown with nettles and brambles. Rubbish would have to be removed, fences installed and storage repositioned before the staff could begin to think about using the garden to enrich the Foundation Stage curriculum.

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