Outdoor Learning

‘The best classroom and richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky.’

Margaret McMillan, 1925

It is important that the first encounter our young children and their parent/carer have with school is a positive and happy experience. It is our intention to create a high quality teaching and learning environment throughout our Foundation Stage, both indoors and outdoors, that is well-structured, purposeful, interesting and challenging. Outdoor play is an integral part of the foundation curriculum and is an essential part of the child’s daily environment and life, not an option or an extra. It is crucial to the child’s health and physical development.

‘Children can learn to make decisions, solve problems and grow in confidence in their own abilities outdoors and they need plenty of time to investigate their outdoor environment purposefully. They will make predictions about what may happen based on their previous play experiences and test out these ideas and theories.’

EYFS Outdoors 2007