Why children are so eager to explore our outdoor area?

How our outdoor learning area encompasses all that children do, see, hear or feel

Daisykins Nursery in Rugby have a fantastic outdoor learning area that is used as an extension of the indoors on a daily basis for all children in the nursery from babies up to preschool. Rain or shine the children will be using the outdoor area so parents are asked to ensure their children have the appropriate clothing for the time of year it is, whether that be sun cream and sun hats or winter coats and wellies. The garden activities are carefully planned around children’s next steps and interests with a huge variety of outdoor resources.

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There is a water area, equipped with water trays, water wall with funneling and pipes, dedicated water toys along with a resources that can be added to promote certain interests or next steps. Waterproof aprons and suits are available for the children to wear when using this area.

There is a mini woodland area with trees, mud kitchen ,bug hotel and bird houses. This area is a firm favourite with the children and it supports all areas of the EYFS. The mud kitchen comes complete with metal utensils, bowls, pans and cups, making a fantastic area for some realistic play. Giant scales are also in this area for the children and promote mathematics. The children love to follow the recipe cards and make their own mud pies and cakes.

Also in the Daisykins outdoor area is a risk and challenge area. Within this area there is large construction resources such as crates, wooden planks, tyres and realistic building bricks. These are used for building, rolling, creating, small world toys such as cars and animals and obstacle courses. Also in this section of the outdoor area is a climbing wall and swinging rope.

Along the side of Daisykins outdoor area is a collection of realistic miniature houses that make up Daisy street. These have been made into role play houses each with its own theme. One has become a little old cottage with its own little garden, this is perfect for retelling and acting out fairytales. Another of the houses is going to be made into an african hut with authentic african resources. This gives the children opportunity to learn more about the world around them. Another of the houses has been turned into a role play house that changes based on the children's interest eg police station, fire station

Also within the garden is an outdoor classroom with tables that any resources can be added to. Just behind this is a dedicated baby area which has some shelter from the elements and provides a safe space for non walking babies to enjoy the outdoors. It has a variety of soft seating and age and stage appropriate resources.

The outdoor area also hosts several tuft trays which are filled with different and exciting activities weekly. This can be any messy play and art activities that the children would like or the practitioners create. Check out some of our great tuff tray activities below.

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