Going a less toyless/focussing more on outdoor provision

**nipper** · 21-02-2013, 11:19 AM

Sorry, I know I keep asking lots of questions and there are a few other posts on here about reducing toys and making play more 'open ended', but I'm really just after some advice from somebody who has done this. Those of you who offer a more 'outdoor orientated' environment, how does it work for you and how do you make it work for differing ages of children? When I say outdoors, it it just outside your backdoor or do you go further afield?
Are there any books or articles or websites I could have a look at. I have looked for the website of the London nursery that focusses on outdoor learning, but came up with this one instead, which seems lovely.

The Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery

The more I think about this, the more I realise it could become a USP, but have trouble seeing how it could be applied to a childminding setting, where I am the only adult with different ages and stages of children.

Thanks for any tips or advice.

**jillplum** · 21-02-2013, 11:25 AM

I too would be interested in any first hand experiences.

**mama2three** · 21-02-2013, 11:34 AM

I do try and focus on the outdoors , with varying degrees of success depending upon the season , and the mix of children. Not getting out as much as we would like just now , no amount of layers seem to be warm enough for an extended stay at the forest or country park and my garden resemble a swamp.
This is an excerpt from my sef , attempting to explain my 'focus'.
We spend a large part of our time exploring our local environment especially sherwood forest. Children love the outdoor environment and my role is to ensure that they access the whole range of learning through the environment , much more of their play is child led but I 'lead' if neccessary in many of the same ways as above. the children have opportunities to explore and improve their physical skills in a much wider range of resources ( natural) climbing skills emerging through tree roots and fallen logs etc. Their predictive skills are learned through the weather and the seasons - for example they link grey clouds and rain , spring bulbs and sunshine , and even the fact that the fair has returned so it is going to be summer soon. they can be more exhuberant outdoors , and communicate differently. they dont have the restrictions of space and 'volume' that they do indoors. we seek out dens and knolls for stories and chats - these form lovely communicative places. Different children seem to take the lead in the outdoors than indoors which adds to their self esteem. Children who find the slightly restrictive indoor area difficult can thrive. Learning opportunities available indoors are replicated - our mark making moves from pens and paints to stick and mud , footprints in the snow and splashes from puddles. we make art sculpture from anything we find. Children learn to care for the environment and themselves - not picking anything growing is one of only 3 rules - not picking ,eating , or squashing anything! They are able to risk assess for themselves with support.
Back at home! the garden area is also freely available. Indoor resources are freely taken outside and in addition there are digging , sand and growing areas , plus slides , ride ons etc. Weather permitting i set up the resources both indoor and outdoor - the trainset for example is as often outside as in.

When Im looking for inspiration I love this blog.. Natural Play – Philosophy & Approach « Jan White Natural Play

**nipper** · 21-02-2013, 11:41 AM

Just had a quick look at this website...thank you for that. I still find it funny when all the pictures you see are taken in warmer weather. Like you say mama2three, they get so cold don't they. My 20 month mindee was well wrapped up in the garden this morning, but still cried because of the cold.

**jillplum** · 21-02-2013, 11:43 AM

We went to the park this morning just for an hour and they were really cold when we got home. I dont think they would like to be outside all day when its this cold.

**mama2three** · 21-02-2013, 11:57 AM

Whwn I worked at forest school we sourced lovely warm dungarees and coats which kept the children warm regardless of the weather. The 'jackets' , and thin woolen gloves that parents provide here dont do the job! They were by TCM , which i believe is now Tchibo. I was lucky enough to get a couple of pairs when we replaced them , which my 2yr olds wear. Its an expensive task to provide them for everyone - but perhaps if you were truly promoting yourselves as an outdoor setting you could make suggestions to parents when they come to you ...ie Johnny will need some of these , and give a few suggested sites where they could purchase them?
Just now the children are fine , its me that is frozen!! To be fair so many practitioners simply stand and watch whilst the children play and explore ...no wonder we get cold!

**jillplum** · 21-02-2013, 12:59 PM

We have forest schools here that are for a couple of hours. Was yours all day? My parents could not afford to buy specialist clothing. I usually buy warm winter coats for mine for Christmas to try and keep them warm on school runs and in the garden.

**loocyloo** · 21-02-2013, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by mama2three

Whwn I worked at forest school we sourced lovely warm dungarees and coats which kept the children warm regardless of the weather. The 'jackets' , and thin woolen gloves that parents provide here dont do the job! They were by TCM , which i believe is now Tchibo. I was lucky enough to get a couple of pairs when we replaced them , which my 2yr olds wear. Its an expensive task to provide them for everyone - but perhaps if you were truly promoting yourselves as an outdoor setting you could make suggestions to parents when they come to you ...ie Johnny will need some of these , and give a few suggested sites where they could purchase them?
Just now the children are fine , its me that is frozen!! To be fair so many practitioners simply stand and watch whilst the children play and explore ...no wonder we get cold!

my own children used to have tchibo coats & dungarees - they were fantastic and lasted for years and everyone was soo toasty & warm! ( the nursery DD & DS attended ( and i worked at ) spent ALOT of time outside, and the majority of children had the tchibo clothing ( as it was warm & reasonably priced too ), but tchibo closed down in the uk, a group of us did a big order from the european site. but the online shopping site has closed as well now

i'd love to get some more!

**nipper** · 21-02-2013, 01:33 PM

When I used to live in Staffordshire, out local Co-operative (I'm sure it was Co-operative!) did a range of Tchibo stuff. Everything from coffee to chopping mats to clothes. A little bit similar to what you find now in Aldi and Lidl. Bought my ds then aged about two, a lovely pair of blue waterproof dungarees, with reflective strips on the legs. They were thick, padded and excellent quality.
Funnily enough, one of my mindees has turned up with an identical pair...she's here tomorrow so will have a look what make they are.
I have invested in waterproofs from the Togz range off ebay in varying sizes from 6 months to 5 years. The smaller sizes are lined so keeping the littlies a bit warmer. It's hard when they don't move very much though! At least there is no limit to how wet or muddy they can get wearing these, as opposed to their own coats.

**jillplum** · 21-02-2013, 01:40 PM

I find this all interesting and useful info. How do you keep their feet warm and dry. I find they get cold feet in wellies but not all kids have warm winter boots suitable for wet and muddy conditions. Any recommendations?

**nipper** · 21-02-2013, 01:44 PM

One mindee brings a pair of tube (skiing socks) and another usually brings those gripper socks which are abit thicker. Walking/running around also helps

I find we struggle with cold hands, but again once they are 'doing' it's not so bad.

**Allie** · 21-02-2013, 01:55 PM

I have waterproof outer wear for everyone and fleece trousers for my chilly child plus poundland thick socks and gloves. Expensive but at least we can get out now

**jillplum** · 21-02-2013, 01:57 PM

I have plenty gloves hats and scarves but Need to get some thick socks maybe.

**nipper** · 21-02-2013, 01:59 PM

If you have an Aldi store near you, they are doing ski wear at the moment...socks as well as hats and gloves.

**loocyloo** · 21-02-2013, 02:25 PM

this is expensive Puddleflex Super Warm-In-One | Baby All-In-One Suits, Snow Suits & Winter Rompers | Muddy Puddles but the same stuff as the tchibo range

they do puddleflex jackets that are lined, but i don't know if the dungarees/trousers are lined.

**jillplum** · 21-02-2013, 02:59 PM

I will be in Aldi tommorow so will have a look thanks.

**Little Puddings** · 21-02-2013, 03:09 PM

I got my mum to buy my children water proofs in Sweden and bring them across to me when they were little. I have kept them all and all the old wellies so there is usually one pair that will fit. I have also bought some cheap wellies when I needed a really small pair.
I would be stuck indoors all the time when it is wet otherwise.
My little ones love puddles so we put the waterproof dungerees on (coat inside) wellies and off we go

I had a short term placement the other week and the 3 year old had all in one, winter boots, hat and scarf mum is polish so used to the cold) whereas the 2 yr old had trainers and a not very thick coat...
I would be outdoors more if the children came dressed for the weather or at least came with a change of clothes for when they get wet and muddy.

**nipper** · 21-02-2013, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Little Puddings

I would be outdoors more if the children came dressed for the weather or at least came with a change of clothes for when they get wet and muddy.

Hurrah to that!

**lynncjt** · 21-02-2013, 05:21 PM

I get all parents to give me spare clothes to keep at my house and provide waterproof trousers and jackets, but have problems with one parent remembering to bring wellies.... I do have some spare but not his size, loath to buy any as I'm not sure how long he will be with me.

**blue bear** · 21-02-2013, 06:33 PM

I have several sets of waterproofs and Wellies. I keep spare clothes here, socks and gloves. I like being outdoors and when we go off to the woods carry spare sets in the car so I can change them and wrap them up warm so we can carry on longer. When it's really cold we explore near to home or in the garden so we can nip in and get warm frequently. I carry flasks of hot chocolate with us and squirty cream

We spend more time outside than we do inside, our garden is set up in areas much like an inside a nursery might be with a book corner, shop, digging area etc. when it's warmer we have more inside type toys out but the seasons bring different things to investigate like ice, frog spawn etc.

I'm know for being an outdoor person and often that makes people choose or not choose me depending how they feel about their lo being outdoors a lot. Obviously when I have babies I change the indoor/outdoor mix to reflect their needs and developemnt.