Editor's view

The importance of outdoor provision for young children is only now being fully recognised. The outdoors is another classroom, where learning in every area of the curriculum can take place - and in every kind of weather given the right clothing. This principle has long been accepted elsewhere in Europe, particularly in Scandinavia. This week's Special Report, 'New ground rules' (pages 10-11), visits nursery settings leading the way in this area and looks at what needs to be done to extend good practice across the sector, including winning parents over to the view that rain and wind need not be...