Part 4-The importance of creating continuous provision outdoors in early years
Continuous provision enables a multitude of learning and development from children of all ages, if you are unsure how to create continuous provision with your age range, click here for some easy to follow advice. Continuous provision as discussed in previous articles has many benefits across the early years which is why it is important this is created in your outdoors environment as well as indoors.
The importance of the outdoor environment in the Early Years is increasing and the benefits are clear to see so creating an environment which is accessible for all allows for the children to truly engage in their learning. Your outdoor environment gives children opportunities to develop in all seven areas and explore all of the characteristics of effective learning, therefore look carefully at your continuous provision planning.
Encouraging children to choose for themselves creates independence and means children are building on and following their own interests something which we know is key to children’s learning. Therefore an environment that contains quality learning experiences is fundamental to children’s learning. All areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage can be promoted in the outdoors.
Transforming your Early Years continuous provision outdoors
Creating continuous provision outdoors can be easier then you think and these next few clever tips will show you how you can transform your Early Years outdoor environment…
- Plan the space you have effectively, even a limited garden can hold all the tools needed for children to actively learn and critically think.
- Consider which areas you can incorporate into your outdoors – Nothing should be off limits!
- Invest in some new larger equipment such as giant soft building bricks and crates, have them out and accessible for the children at all times.
- Consider building a writing or reading shed or cupboard – a small space where chalk, clipboards and pencils can be kept readily available for the children to use when there interests allow this.
- Don’t like the idea of messy play and paint outdoors – simply attach some pegs or clips to a tree/ wall or fence, place some empty paint pots, paper and brushes and allow the children to make their own paints out of mud and water. It will wash away in the rain or with a hose. Keep these accessible and tidy.
- Have an outdoor water tray or create a mud kitchen – This will have all the resources needed regardless of your age range and will allow the children to learn many new skills.
- Look at using resources wisely for example why not use old tyres and fill will soil to create either a mud kitchen or a small world area.
- Visit our Pinterest page for more ideas of activities to enhance your continuous provision outdoors
Look at your outside area and see if you can incorporate any of these ideas to help extend the learning of the children in your Early Years setting.