[Leagan Gaeilge ar fáil ach cliceáil ar an GA thuas]
This section contains a range of resources to inspire and support the creation of new or develop an existing outdoor learning and play space. Outdoor learning and play is beneficial for children's overall development and at present will support current National Public Health Strategy of being outdoors.
1. Ideas for outdoor area development
- Barnardos - The Benefits of Outdoor Play
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Cheeky Cherubs, Cork
Cheeky Cherubs, Ballincollig, has been providing an outdoor preschool for 11 children for several years. It is a space shared with full day care children, within an urban setting. So, design and layout are of the utmost importance. Each group (pod) have opportunities throughout the day to explore, work and play, around the vegetable garden, the art area, the bikes or in the geodome, fire hut and newly built treehouse. In Cheeky Cherubs, Bishopstown, we completed an outdoor classroom, which was designed with the children at the heart of everything. In each setting the children have direct outdoor access to toilets and handwashing facilities. We have enclosed our covered areas creating warm dry spaces as well as installing bright and soft artificial grass. Ironically, it has been the pandemic and lockdown which provided us with the opportunity to invest in the outdoors, enabling us to enhance the spaces as well as the safety of our children and their educators. See vimeo links below on Cheeky Cherubs:
2. Examples of learning stories based on outdoor learning and play
3. Resources
- Spaces to be me (Quality Environments in Early Years Services, Barnardos)
- Ideas for Outdoor Area Development (Barnardos)
- The benefits of risky play for children (Childlinks, Barnardos)
- Enquiring about life through play (Childlinks, Barnardos)