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In or out? - it's a continuous environment

Sally Chapman (Letters, 17 May) feels staffing levels at her playgroup make it impossible to offer continuous outdoor play during the session. However, I can envisage only three circumstances where outdoor play cannot be offered simultaneously with indoor play.

However, I can envisage only three circumstances where outdoor play cannot be offered simultaneously with indoor play.

First, where there is only one member of staff in an early years setting, for example, if a reception teacher is working without the assistance of a nursery nurse or learning assistant.

Second, where the outside area is not adjacent to the indoor space, and there are fewer than three members of staff - three being the minimum needed to allow for one adult in each area, and one floating to escort children between indoors and outdoors. And third, where there is no outside play area.

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