Nursery World - Obstacle course

Many early years practitioners take children outdoors less often than they could. But as the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, they can find ways around any barriers Research indicates that too few children are being given enough learning opportunities outdoors in early years settings even when they have access to a suitable outdoor area. To change the way they use the outdoors, early years settings need to first change their attitude towards it.

Research indicates that too few children are being given enough learning opportunities outdoors in early years settings even when they have access to a suitable outdoor area. To change the way they use the outdoors, early years settings need to first change their attitude towards it.

To establish why you don't make good use of the outdoors, ask yourself some searching questions. Are you afraid of outdoor play? Are you afraid that:

* there are too few members of staff to supervise adequately?

* the whole curriculum cannot be covered outdoors and so learning inside is 'better' than learning outside?

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