Outdoor Play Policy
Outdoor play is vital for the healthy growth and development of all children. The majority of the children within the nursery are placed full time, so it becomes even more important that they should get the opportunity to experience the freedom of being outside in the fresh air during the day. They should engage in energetic activity and experience the sense of well being that it brings.
Outdoor play is an integral part of the curriculum and it enhances the child's learning. It also helps to develop strong spatial awareness, co-ordination, balance and movement and develops strong muscles, with opportunities to run, push, pull climb and jump.
We endeavour to create an atmosphere where children can learn to take risks in a controlled environment. The children have access to manufactured equipment alongside open ended resources in order to develop their imagination, solve problems and learn about the world around them.
AIMS:
- Babies and toddlers have access to the outdoor space everyday.
- Older children (age 2-3 and pre-school) will have access to the outdoor space during all seasons.
- All children have to opportunity to learn about their environment and are able to experiment with natural resources, create a sense of wonder about the world around them and learn about looking after themselves and others.
- Activities will be organised to enhance and extend the learning that is currently going on in the nursery.
PROCEDURES:
- Staff will ensure that the garden is secure and it will be checked before every session and maintained regularly.
- Regulatory staffing ratios will be adhered to at all times during outdoor play.
- If small groups of children are going out, staff will mark down who is in the garden on a separate register or note book in order to keep a check of where children are and distinguish quickly who is inside and who is outside.
- Staff will ensure that all children are appropriately dressed for the climate.
- In summer and hot weather children must wear sun hats and sun cream at all times. Sun cream will be applied frequently and the children will be offered water at regular intervals. Areas of shade will be created for them to use and the outside area will not be used during the hottest times of the day (11.00 to15.00).
- In cold, wet or wintry weather, children will wear jumpers, coats, hoods, hats and Wellington boots to ensure that they are kept warm and dry whilst outside.
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR CHILD COMES TO NURSERY WITH APPROPRIATE CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR, INCLUDING SPARE CLOTHES IN THEIR BAG.
