|
In 2003, the Kent Early Years and Childcare Unit invited LTL to develop and deliver an innovative early years outdoor play project with settings across the county.
The Kent EYDCP Advisory Team identified insufficient outdoor play occurring in these early years settings and noted that confidence and enthusiasm for outdoor play was low in both the private and voluntary sectors.
How did it work?
LTL worked in partnership with Kent EYDCP and early years settings to develop accessible and affordable solutions that enabled them to meet the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding, the requirements for the Birth to Three Matters Framework and the Foundation Stage Curriculum, and the Kent Quality Kitemark.
These projects provided demonstrations of good practice for other settings, inspiring and motivating them to develop their outdoor play.
An early years specialist, working within LTL, provided direct and detailed support to the settings. Each setting was also provided with a grant of up to £4,000.
The Kent project included a research element which focused on listening to young children's views and experiences of the outdoor space. 'Spaces to Play' by Alison Clark, a researcher at the Thomas Coram Research Unit at the Institute of Education, was funded by the Carnegie Trust and the Bernard Van Leer Foundation. The Executive Summary of the research is available to download here |
Who was it for?We worked with 22 maintained and non-maintained early years settings:
3 LEA Primary Schools (Reception classes)
2 Maintained Nurseries
1 Health/LEA special needs Nursery
9 Private/voluntary sector providers
1 Independent school
2 Private day nurseries~
4 Private/voluntary sector sessional pre-schools
All providers were committed to involving children, staff and the wider community in their outdoor play projects.
The project and its outcomes helped to inspire and motivate all early years settings to develop outdoor play.
What should I do next?
|
The book based on this programme "Creating a Space to Grow" will guide you through the process of changing and developing the outdoor environment of your Early Years setting to maximise the learning potential that these areas can create.
To order your copy click here.
Programme Partners:
Thomas Coram Research Institute:
A research unit within the Institute of Education focussing on children and young people both within and outside their families. This includes care, education, health and social service settings.
Carnegie UK Trust: An independent, not-for-profit foundation encouraging young people to take an active part in decision-making in their communities and more widely in society. |
|
|
|
