Outdoor Play Policy Policy Statement: Outdoor play is essential for all aspects of a child’s development. It provides children with experiences which enable them to develop intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically. In doing so, it provides opportunities to develop their communication skills and encourages positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle. 

 

Our aim for both indoor and outdoor play will be to provide a stimulating and safe environment for children’s learning in all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Close observation is essential in order to assess children’s ability and to ensure appropriate supervision is provided. 

 

When planning Outdoor play, adults will consider the following: 

• Safety 

• Is the area offering challenging and exciting play

• Different age groups of children and levels of ability using the space 

• Supervision and delegation 

• Children’s individual needs 

• Continuation of indoor activities

• Both adult-led and child-initiated opportunities are on offer 

 

Adults planning an activity will think carefully about what it should include and why. They will have clear goals for children’s learning, at the same time they need to be responsive to children’s enthusiasm and their interests. Within the planning, there will be flexibility to meet individual needs as they arise during the session.

 

Safety in the garden: 

• The nursery will ensure all areas are safe and secure through close supervision and the use of daily risk assessments and safety checks.

 • A garden risk assessment will be completed BEFORE the children go into the garden by a member of staff. 

 • On completion of the daily risk assessment, staff may opt to close parts of the garden that they feel may be hazardous due to weather conditions.

• All Staff will be responsible for ensuring risk assessments are carried out daily.

• All staff will be aware of the procedures in place, and where appropriate, trained to ensure that these procedures are followed effectively. 

• Staff outdoors will always be aware of the safety of the children in the garden in their care, they will be vigilant at all times and children needing handing over to inside adults for toileting or first aid purposes to be handed over as quickly as possible so the supervision of the outdoors is not interrupted for a long duration of time, so the adult to child ratio will be maintained at all times. When using the front garden staff will make sure the side gate to the back garden is closed. 

• Staff will also choose to close off areas of the garden depending on the age group using it and number of staff available for supervision. 

 • It is most important for staff to remain in their designated area at all times, this will ensure the outdoor area is adequately supervised. Each member of staff will position themselves in separate areas of the garden so that no space is unsupervised.

 • Supervision of the climbing frame will be adjusted according to the age of the children using it. 

• At the end of each session, staff will ensure that all children are lined up on spots at the door before they enter the building. Children will be counted to and from the garden, making sure the front door is not closed until all children are accounted for. Children will be counted by multiple adults with the last adult in the line to complete a final garden check (With all children inside).

 • All equipment will be stored away sensibly and carefully to allow for safe and easy removal the following day. 

• Children will be encouraged to climb and balance independently but staff will always be aware of and consider different levels of ability. 

 

• Accidents will be dealt with appropriately, following the procedures in place. All accidents will be recorded in the accident book and information will be shared with the parents on collection, or during the nursery day if it is a significant head bump.