While neither the Foundation Stage guidance nor the Birth to Three Framework ignore outdoor play, there is little explicit recognition of its vital role. Practitioners and advisory staff need support in providing high-quality experiences outdoors for all children.
Although understanding of good practice outdoors is growing, there are still barriers to be broken down. Childcare provision can still be registered without having any outdoor area, and even some new children's centres, intended to be bastions of quality, are being built without sufficient outdoor space. Some staff can be reluctant to head through the door, standing shivering and miserable rather than engaging in and observing children's play. And enriching experiences are being hampered by a health and safety culture that shies away from any risk - even tyres have been banned in one local authority area, as we heard from a delegate at last week's LTL/Early Education conference.
The momentum for change is there, however. We must all keep it going.
