Spring will soon be on its way, and in those settings where access to outdoors is provided all year round, staff and children are already enjoying gusting breezes and muddy puddles. They are revelling in icy mornings and crisp afternoons. They are marvelling at their own misty breaths and cold noses. They are experiencing the tickly feeling of tingling fingers and toes.
For settings who have not yet stepped outdoors this year, help and encouragement is at hand. Now is the time to take the plunge and think about how to make more use of outdoor space. Once again Nursery World and Learning through Landscapes have teamed up to offer all early years settings a chance to enter the annual Outdoor Challenge.
The early years team at Learning Through Landscapes provides support to early years settings year-round through membership materials, consultancy, training events and an expert helpline. Experience has shown that the successful development of an outdoor area as a stimulating learning environment is an evolving process that takes time. It requires the active involvement of the whole setting - the staff, the parents, and of course the children.
In response to increasing requests from settings for practical advice, ideas, and on-site support, Learning Through Landscapes is now developing a range of new materials in addition to the regular Early Years Outdoors membership materials. These latest resources, a video and a Toolkit, will be available later in the year to inspire and support settings wishing to make changes in the way they use their outdoor space.
The video will show examples of good practice outdoors filmed at early years settings all around the country. It will include both maintained and non-maintained settings and will show case studies relevant to practitioners working with under-threes as well as those delivering the Foundation Stage curriculum. The video will be an invaluable resource to motivate practitioners to make a start on developing some aspect of their outdoor provision or practice. It will be launched at the Early Years and Primary Teaching Exhibition at the G-Mex Centre in Manchester on 6 and 7 May.
The early years team at Learning Through Landscapes is using a tried and trusted process to form the basis of the new 'Toolkit'. The cyclical method of reviewing, planning and implementing is recognised by many practitioners as an essential technique for ensuring that teaching meets children's current learning needs.
Early years practitioners agree that in order to move a child forward in their learning, it is necessary to look closely at their existing achievements, and use these accomplishments as the starting point for future attainment.
The Toolkit will offer guidance and a wealth of activities and ideas. It will incorporate four stages within a cyclical process that will encourage settings to think about:
* Getting started: This stage suggests ways to invite everyone at the setting to stop and think about their current feelings, priorities and issues regarding outdoor play.
* Planning developments: This stage includes ideas for raising funds, involving others, generating enthusiasm, identifying ideas and solutions to problems, and organising the project into manageable steps and stages.
* Implementing plans: This stage includes inspirational materials and ideas and solutions that have been used successfully by other settings, and suggests ways of involving adults, children and the wider community.
* Evaluating and enjoying: The final stage encourages settings to celebrate their achievements, and to reflect on the development of their outdoor space. Ideas for involving everyone in evaluating the impact, monitoring the use, and maintaining the space are included, as well as suggestions for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project.
The regular Early Years Outdoors membership services and materials will provide an invaluable back-up and support to the Toolkit so that, whatever challenges an individual setting faces, it will be possible to make improvements to the existing outdoor provision and practice. Gail Ryder Richardson is an early years development officer for Learning Through Landscapes Contact details
Learning Through Landscapes' Early Years Outdoors membership line: 01962 84 5811 E-mail: eyo@ltl.org.uk
For more information see www.ltl.org.uk.
