Wellington School NurseryWellington School Nursery

Outdoors Learning Within A Outdoors Learning Within A Curriculum for ExcellenceCurriculum for Excellence

Tuesday 4Tuesday 4thth May 2010 May 2010

Mrs. A.H. AllanMrs. A.H. AllanHead of NurseryHead of Nursery

Curriculum for Excellence Curriculum for Excellence The VisionThe Vision

Our vision for outdoor learning in Scotland is Our vision for outdoor learning in Scotland is that:that:

• All children and young people are participating in a range of All children and young people are participating in a range of progressive and creative outdoor learning experiences which progressive and creative outdoor learning experiences which are clearly part of the curriculumare clearly part of the curriculum

• Schools and nurseries are providing regular, frequent, Schools and nurseries are providing regular, frequent, enjoyable and challenging opportunities for all children and enjoyable and challenging opportunities for all children and young people to learn outdoors throughout their school career young people to learn outdoors throughout their school career and beyondand beyond

• Teachers and educators embed outdoor learning in the Teachers and educators embed outdoor learning in the curriculum so that learning in the outdoor environment curriculum so that learning in the outdoor environment becomes a reality for all children and young peoplebecomes a reality for all children and young people

Curriculum for ExcellenceCurriculum for Excellence

‘ ‘All aspects of the curriculum can be All aspects of the curriculum can be explored outside. The sights, sounds explored outside. The sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors, the and smells of the outdoors, the closeness to nature, the excitement closeness to nature, the excitement most children feel, the wonder and most children feel, the wonder and curiosity all serve to enhance and curiosity all serve to enhance and stimulate learning’stimulate learning’

Wellington School Nursery?Wellington School Nursery?

• Conducted a review of outdoor learning – Conducted a review of outdoor learning – planning, use of outdoor spaces, resourcesplanning, use of outdoor spaces, resources

• Studied current literatureStudied current literature

• Listened to views of children, parents and Listened to views of children, parents and staffstaff

• Attended courses - DenmarkAttended courses - Denmark

• Subscribed to ‘Grounds for Learning’Subscribed to ‘Grounds for Learning’

• Participate in Eco Nursery programmeParticipate in Eco Nursery programme

Wellington Nursery VisionWellington Nursery Vision

• The outdoor area provides young children with one The outdoor area provides young children with one of the best possible environments in which to learnof the best possible environments in which to learn

• Indoors and outdoors are viewed as one combined Indoors and outdoors are viewed as one combined and integrated environmentand integrated environment

• Indoors and outdoors are available to the children Indoors and outdoors are available to the children simultaneouslysimultaneously

• Outdoors is both a teaching and learning Outdoors is both a teaching and learning environmentenvironment

• Staff are supportive toward outdoor playStaff are supportive toward outdoor play

How we see it!How we see it!

• Rather than being the receivers of Rather than being the receivers of information, young children need to information, young children need to enjoy the experience of discovery, so enjoy the experience of discovery, so they can apply knowledge, concepts they can apply knowledge, concepts and skills and take calculated risks in and skills and take calculated risks in a structured rather than directed a structured rather than directed environment.environment.

Claire Warden, 1999Claire Warden, 1999

Risky Business!Risky Business!

““Myths claiming that children are Myths claiming that children are being discouraged from enjoying being discouraged from enjoying outdoors play because regulation is outdoors play because regulation is causing nurseries to create a ‘cotton causing nurseries to create a ‘cotton wool culture’ are nonsense”wool culture’ are nonsense”

Ronnie Hill, Director of Ronnie Hill, Director of Children’s Children’s Services Regulation.Services Regulation.

Regulation should not hinder Regulation should not hinder play and the Care Commission play and the Care Commission wants to encourage good risk wants to encourage good risk management, not risk management, not risk aversion.aversion.

ConclusionConclusion

‘‘The benefits of outdoor play are The benefits of outdoor play are really very basic, if children aren’t really very basic, if children aren’t allowed to engage with the elements allowed to engage with the elements – mud, water, air, even fire – how can – mud, water, air, even fire – how can they begin to understand the world they begin to understand the world that they live in?’that they live in?’

Harry Harbottle, 2009Harry Harbottle, 2009