EYFS Outdoor Education

by Deborah Ferguson, EYFS Coordinator

With COVID restrictions finally lifted, EYFS and Year 1 had the opportunity to enjoy their first trip of the year. They went to the Botanical Gardens, with adventure starting when they found out they were going on the school buses. There was so much excitement in the room. Seatbelt clicks and they were off.

The weather may be getting colder as we write this, but outdoor play is still in full force in EYFS.

Many people think that the most important learning happens in the classroom, and it is certainly true that I lot of learning does happen in the classroom, but in the EYFS programme it is equally true that the learning can happen anywhere. Outside there is so much to explore and learn – climbing, avoiding obstacles, creating music, and in Term 1b watching the signs of autumn creep in…

Last week, we took maths outside and enjoyed the remaining rays of the summer sun as we learned about capacity. We used measuring cylinders, pipets, a pan balance, and scoops.

“Look! This is full!”

“Oh no! My trousers are so wet.”

“It’s the same!”

These are just some of the comments that could be heard coming from the Outdoor Classroom.

To give the children ownership of the new play area, they each painted a flower in the planting area. It is ready for when the planting season starts again – only a few more months to wait.