1. Wellington School Nursery Outdoors Learning Within A Curriculum for Excellence Tuesday 4 th May 2010 Mrs. A.H. Allan Head of Nursery

2. Curriculum for Excellence The Vision Our vision for outdoor learning in Scotland is that: All children and young people are participating in a range of progressive and creative outdoor learning experiences which are clearly part of the curriculum All children and young people are participating in a range of progressive and creative outdoor learning experiences which are clearly part of the curriculum Schools and nurseries are providing regular, frequent, enjoyable and challenging opportunities for all children and young people to learn outdoors throughout their school career and beyond Schools and nurseries are providing regular, frequent, enjoyable and challenging opportunities for all children and young people to learn outdoors throughout their school career and beyond Teachers and educators embed outdoor learning in the curriculum so that learning in the outdoor environment becomes a reality for all children and young people Teachers and educators embed outdoor learning in the curriculum so that learning in the outdoor environment becomes a reality for all children and young people

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

4. Wellington School Nursery? Conducted a review of outdoor learning – planning, use of outdoor spaces, resources Conducted a review of outdoor learning – planning, use of outdoor spaces, resources Studied current literature Studied current literature Listened to views of children, parents and staff Listened to views of children, parents and staff Attended courses - Denmark Attended courses - Denmark Subscribed to ‘Grounds for Learning’ Subscribed to ‘Grounds for Learning’ Participate in Eco Nursery programme Participate in Eco Nursery programme

5. Wellington Nursery Vision The outdoor area provides young children with one of the best possible environments in which to learn The outdoor area provides young children with one of the best possible environments in which to learn Indoors and outdoors are viewed as one combined and integrated environment Indoors and outdoors are viewed as one combined and integrated environment Indoors and outdoors are available to the children simultaneously Indoors and outdoors are available to the children simultaneously Outdoors is both a teaching and learning environment Outdoors is both a teaching and learning environment Staff are supportive toward outdoor play Staff are supportive toward outdoor play

6. How we see it! Rather than being the receivers of information, young children need to enjoy the experience of discovery, so they can apply knowledge, concepts and skills and take calculated risks in a structured rather than directed environment. Rather than being the receivers of information, young children need to enjoy the experience of discovery, so they can apply knowledge, concepts and skills and take calculated risks in a structured rather than directed environment. Claire Warden, 1999

7. Risky Business! “Myths claiming that children are being discouraged from enjoying outdoors play because regulation is causing nurseries to create a ‘cotton wool culture’ are nonsense” Ronnie Hill, Director of Children’s Services Regulation.

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

9. Conclusion ‘The benefits of outdoor play are really very basic, if children aren’t allowed to engage with the elements – mud, water, air, even fire – how can they begin to understand the world that they live in?’ Harry Harbottle, 2009