Children need to be outdoors more

Research has shown that young children need regular opportunities to explore and learn in the outdoor environment. At Select Childcare outside play is never ‘slotted in’ or ‘rationed’ to just a few minutes in the day. Children have free access to the garden. Outdoor play is never seen as an optional extra. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum, which covers children aged birth to the end of the Reception year, became statutory in September 2008 and places strong emphasis on the importance and value of daily outdoor experiences for children’s learning and development. Here at Select Childcare we have the advantage of a small number of children and a 3:1 staff ratio of Level six childminders. Our staff also have an outdoor school qualification. This coupled with an 8 seat people carrier means we regularly get out in to the big wide world for adventures. Our regular visits to the woods, National trust parks, beaches and parks means your child is no stuck in a room all day.

Museums offer a dynamic opportunity to expose children to experiences and explore new things in a rich and educational environment. Through interactive exhibits and hands-on play, children have the ability to take ownership of their own learning and develop and explore their own curiosities. Taking children to museums opens their eyes to different ideas and perspectives that are relevant to their lives. This kind of exposure can help develop higher critical and creative thinking skills, which are integral to future success. The Royal Albert Museum in Exeter is set out wonderfully for children. On arrival all of the children found suitcases packed with Childrens fancy dress costumes. The children chose a combination of bumble bee costumes and owl costumes which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Forest School sets learning in a different context for children where they can undertake a range of practical activities and carry out small achievable tasks. At Forest School children can develop their team working skills and also learn to become more independent. The ‘wild’, and yet controlled, safe environment of Forest School ensures that children taking part naturally learn to assess risk and are encouraged to make sensible and informed decisions about how to deal with unfamiliar and unpredictable situations (such as exploring or climbing trees, using tools to build shelters and dens). Much of the learning for a child comes as a result of the opportunities they have for testing their own abilities in a real life context. Today the children helped to prepare a fire and light it with flint sticks. The y all then went and found their own long stick to toast marsh mellows on. The children put the warm marsh mellows between chocolate biscuits to make a “yummy snack”. Lunch was BBQ hot dog rolls. The parents stated the following day all of the children were elated and totally worn out.

Playgrounds provide crucial and vital opportunities for children to accelerate emotional, social, motor and cognitive development. Playgrounds provide critical space for children to be given opportunities to move and be encouraged to advance into the next stage of development, because through play they can develop advanced fine motor and manipulation skills. The lack of physical fitness among children poses a danger to their health as adults, and playground equipment is one avenue to promote physical activity of children. The Childrens imagination is let loose in a playground and is great to see the children in role play and running from imaginary dragons and climbing castles. This social interaction and physical development is crucial for a well-rounded child to survive in our society..