The EYFS sets out a framework for early years practitioners. Included within the National Curriculum is guidance on outdoor learning. To read the relevant section please use the link to the right.

Key features of outdoor learning:

• 1. Outdoor learning should be planned for and has equal value to indoor learning.
• 2. Outdoor learning is enhanced by an environment that is richly resourced with play materials that can be adapted and used in different ways.
• 3. Consider the experience rather than the equipment to encourage children to be in control of their own learning.
• 4. Outdoor play is essential for children’s health, development and well being.
• 5. Children initiate spontaneous activities and can explore naturally occurring events such as changes in season, weather and nature.
• 6. Provides new challenges and self assessed risk, which are managed by the child

Suggested physical features:

• 1. Protection from extreme weather
• 2. Water supply
• 3. Variety of surfaces
• 4. Areas where children can watch and observe as well as be active

EYFS Areas of Learning

Within the EYFS there are six areas of learning. Outdoor play will help the child to develop in all of these areas. Possible ideas to include each of these are:

Personal, emotional and social development

• Encourages curiosity, self chosen challenges, managing risk, increase confidence, self esteem and independence.
• - Seating arranged to encourage social development e.g. in a circle.
• - Space for the child to reflect and observe others.

Communication, language and literacy

• Outdoor provides the children with different sounds and noises, mark-making opportunities (drawing and writing), using large muscles which in turn develop small muscles needed for later successful handwriting.
• - Area where children can share stories, have their snack etc, e.g. under a willow structure
• - Mark making on a large scale e.g. blackboard, smooth decked area to lean on whilst drawing
• - Signs to read
• - Sorting games

Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy (Previously called Mathematical development

• Different counting opportunities, larger space to act out number songs and rhymes, sorting of natural objects, develop understanding of shape, space and measure.
• - Numbers on bikes with matching parking bays
• - Number trail
• - Numbered skittles
• - Shape trail

Knowledge and understanding of the world

• Freely explore and investigate their environment, first hand experience through touching, smelling, crawling and watching. Make notes on what they see and any changes e.g. weather, mini beasts, plant growth. Widens a child’s sense of place, develops imagination.
• - Logs to balance on and move around
• - Slopes and ramps for cars and balls to roll down
• - Hidden area for a den
• - Digging area
• - Bird table, feeder, boxes
• - Planters to fill and maintain

Physical development

• Allows children to be active on a larger scale compared to indoors, different levels, negotiate pathways, balance, climb, experience speed. Gain control of larger muscles.
• - Logs to balance on and stepping stones
• - Boulders
• - Mounds and dips in the ground
• - Climbing frame / low level trim trail
• - Area for ball games
• - Tunnels
• - Sand pit
• - Water tray, dams and free flow
• - Smooth and bumpy surface for bikes

Creative development

• Outdoors is stimulating and children can respond through using all of their senses. It enables dancing, role play, movement and art. Allows children to explore different materials in two and three dimensions.
• - Musical area; pots and pans on a string with ladles and wooden spoons with which to hit them, wind chimes.
• - Area that can be changed by the children e.g. a garage, a garden centre, a pirate ship, a castle etc
• - Fencing that can become a weaving frame, using variety of materials including twigs.