Assess how your outside space is used. before rushing out to spend your equipment budget, says Julian Grenier | tis hay worth asking why vonacere Se Ac Shiro eum el on Srviy our macenoo de Tho eating ewe coe traced than bvng thot ny een a theplasurc fete, ental sa meee ung nine sips esas entice ne threes ed geen ota slavguns Chen bn Fenineratingeig ag the gen runing doe tng o re oting poles slime tw PLANNING THE OUTDOORS: ‘The news of additional funding for ‘outdoor ply inthe Barly Years Foun- dation Stage is very weleome, but it ‘will not benefit children in the long. term if itis spent quickly on Targe ‘tems of equipment that may over- Two-wheeled Like Bikes promote balance andstrength without dominating theavailablespace ‘crowd and even worsen the quality of the environment. fel peaceful? Whereda youlike | ‘hemselves, or does t seem tobe Instead of rushing to spend the tobe? Whatis appealing and what achoreto be outside? Given the ‘money, consider the environment looks ugly? | choice, would any saff spend time before introducing any changes: —_@ Observethe expressionsand body outside rather than inside? @Walkroundtheareaandmeken language of sa outside. Do ‘© More imporcanty,observe how rote ofhow you feel, Whichazeas adults ooklike they are enjoying ‘he children are. Aresomeareas cused heavily while others are empty? How do they espond the different apportaniies on offer? | Think bout the movements | young child might make ~whetis | there room for, and whats lacking? | tnvolvingthe children isalso | "fascinating. You could askthem totakepicures ofareas they like and don't ike inthe nursery, andin Jocal parks and playgrounds, Trydigging _| CLIMBINGEQUIPMENT Try digging | chitdren need opporcniies to youprovideto | ji isnma cone is fa seeifthey are | ctructures are expensive and can take codenough | pico much space, whereas smaller Find ways to Involve th e children in deciding what resources areneeded gardening | mobile structures can mean staff > \WWWINURSERYWORLB.COUK AUTUMN2008 NURSERY EQUIPMENTShave odo a Jot of iting and carrying, toset up and tidy awe. Unless you havea loc of space and ‘money, I would advise agninsta large climbing frame. Ieis much better to hhave a simple fixed frame or struc- ture chat you ean elip ropes, planks pr other items to. Similarly, a elimb- Ing structure in a particular shape vwll have limited value ~ the children ‘will quickly get bored with a space rocket or a boat. But iPthey can use their imagination to transform bits of attache fabric into sails and wooden Dlocks into seats and control panes, then the climbing equipment ean be reinvented by the hour. Ifyou have an available brick or ‘other solid walla climbing wall ean ‘bea good way of providing a difficult. challenge. In all eases, climbing equip ‘ment must be carefully designed and positioned, andwill need an appropei- ate safety surface beneath it 9 mini- ‘mise the risks of serious head injuries. Your Ioval authority ean put you in vouch with an appropriate specialist. WHEELEDTOYS Before buying wheeled toys, think about whesher you have enough space {or them. Ifyou already have them, it is worth reflecting on their benefits and drawihacks At Kate Greenaway, we noticed that big metal trikes thundered through the garden and alarmed ~ or even knocked over ~ smaller and less com |, ident children. ‘We also observed that two-seater trikes did not promote much social interaction beyond the intial negotia: tion needed to get on. For these rea sons, we decided firstto phase out the Dig two-seater and eventually all the metal srikes. ‘We have replaced them with wood cen two-wheeled LikedBikes, which promote balance and strength, and ‘donot dominate the space. OuTDOORS ‘Sandpits can: on a = san ano waren octet en isc oc | ae ead hee aie sonnet sb GARDENING Even a very small outdoor area will hove space fora small planting box or hhanging baskets. Bigger spaces might be suitable for large wooden raised | beds, which work well because they | protec the plants from being trodden, fn, ridden over or pulled ont. Children will need proper toots if they are going to garden. For asim pletes, tnydigging the earth with the | ‘wols you provide. Ifyou car’tmanage | BESTBUY LikeaBikes promote balance ancstrengthanddonot dominate the outdoor space avalable tonurseries, Most oftreproductsarewooden. || Formore informationon thefull range, visit: www, Ukeabike.co.uk | MORE INFORMATION le There is brief but useful guidanceon outdoor teaming Inthe Early Years Foundation Stage (wwwstandards. dfes govk/ eyisfesources/ downloads/3. 3b. ep) oTheGreat ‘Outdoors: Developing children’s learning ‘throughoutdoor provision by Margaret Edainston, Britsn association forarlyChilahood Education, London ‘eThareisexcallent guidanceon design (bothindoors and ‘outdoors) at: wor. surestart.gov. luk/_docr P0000951.par ‘enabling Outdoor Learning nthe Early Years Foundation ‘Stage in Comwalt by Wendy Titman, Wendy Titman Associates (worn, ‘emazon.co.uk) it easly, then imagine how frustrat- ng iwi be for the children Gardening and digging with proper ‘tools wil require children to be able 1w follow adult instructions, as well as learning by observing what adults do, Provide an area where children can dig hoes, slosh in water and create ‘muddy craters es also worth having waterproof clothing and Wellington ‘boots for bath children and adults, MANAGING THE OUTDOORS Children shonld be free to go in and ‘out when they want to, That way you can avoid the pushing tobe first out that follows the announcement of ‘playtime’ It is important to offer 8 broad and balanced curriculum, s0 think about how t offer experiences ‘that fee like outdoor learning. Sharing a story on the grass under a tre is enjoyable; writing on a table ‘with litte bits of paper flying in the Wind or building with Duplo on 2 bbumpy pienie mat is not. Instead, offer early writing experiences with clipboards, ors large blackboard, and offer anger seale construction experi- ‘ences with wooden hollow blocks oF real bricks with towels and wet sand, ‘The best outdoor learning reflets real activites that children see around them in the street, park and garden: it just feels ight for the outdoors. Julian Grenierisheadof Kate (Greenavsay Nursery School and Children’s Centre TONURSERY EQUIPMENT AUTUMN 2008