Nursery World - Editor's view (334)

For past five years, we have been overwhelmed with entries each time we run the Outdoor Challenge competition with Learning Through Landscapes. This year was no exception, and you can find out who won on page 9. Obviously, the 13,000 of prizes generously donated by Keep it Kool, NES Arnold and LTL are a big draw. But what also shines through is a real understanding of just how important outdoor play is for young children's learning and development, and a strong desire to provide high-quality experiences. Many entrants have obviously used the Outdoor Challenge as inspiration and motivation to move forward with plans for improvement.

Obviously, the 13,000 of prizes generously donated by Keep it Kool, NES Arnold and LTL are a big draw. But what also shines through is a real understanding of just how important outdoor play is for young children's learning and development, and a strong desire to provide high-quality experiences. Many entrants have obviously used the Outdoor Challenge as inspiration and motivation to move forward with plans for improvement.

Different settings face different challenges in providing a good early years outdoor environment. Schools may have a barren playground and lack of free-flow access. Private nurseries may have a pretty garden but limited opportunities to bring the curriculum outside. Pre-schools may be in borrowed premises. Perhaps most worrying are the children's centres where huge amounts have been spent on a gorgeous new building, but little funding or thought put towards developing the outdoor space to the same standard.

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