Are you a mud-lover, a mug-hugger or somewhere in between? Annie Davy explains why being an early years practitioner today is an outdoor job.
WINNER - Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries, Horsham, West Sussex
The endless potential for learning through play that the natural environment offers to young children is observed by 'nature kindergarten' provider Claire Warden.
Musical instruments can help children develop the sound recognition skills essential for reading, spelling and writing. Early years settings call the tune as they try out a few for Nicole Weinstein.
Children in one West Sussex school have been getting close to nature thanks to a creative project and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust free visits programme, says Jordan Chamberlain.
Outdoor provision for the early years is set to grow and flourish thanks to funding distributed through local authorities. Annie Davy reports.
In providing resources for playful learning we need to remember the process in which they will be used, not just the outcome at the end, says Anne O'Connor.
A 'monster' sighting at one nursery sparked a project looking at a range of themes.
Use first-hand experiences and location resources for learning about environments, says Nicole Weinstein.
The Outdoor Challenge will get you to think hard about your setting's outdoor provision, says Julie Mountain of Learning Through Landscapes.