Report RE: Outdoor play

Original Post

by: Millie

Hi Darcey

I think I am finding this attitude and practice generally throughout the majority of nurseries and pre-schools.  As a childminder obviously the children I care for can readily access the indoors/outdoors when they wish to extend their interests and learning which really brings their development on through all 6 areas of learning. 

But whilst working in many nurseries and pre-schools, and within the capacity of an assessor, I am truly shocked by the attitude and laziness of the practitioners.  Granted, some are not able to access easily the outdoor space, for some it is not an option, although now within the EYFS practitioners must ensure children receive some time outdoors.

But for many, I am saddened that they do not give the children activities (building on their interests) outdoors to enhance learning.  The practice I observe day in and day out is the use of just bikes and trikes. - Practitioners view this as a break for them as well, rarely does interaction take place between practitioner and child, except for a telling off for running, bad behaviour (because of boredom) or someone has hurt themselves.

I pray that when Ofsted visit settings they ask to see evidence of outdoor provision, preferably photographic, rather than seeing the usual bikes and trikes. -

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