Early learning and childcare service model for 2020: consultation analysis

Chapter 6 Physical environment and outdoor learning

Criteria 3 of the National Standard outlined the criteria for Physical Environments, including the need for children to have access to outdoor play and outdoor learning in a range of environments. Respondents were then asked in a closed-question to what extent criteria 3 of the National Standard captures the Scottish Government's aspiration for outdoor learning and play to become a defining feature of funded ELC in Scotland. As can be seen in Figure 6, about half of respondents said yes, with most of the other half saying that they did not think criteria 3 would help to achieve this ambition.

Figure 6 – The extent to which respondents agree that criteria 3 captures the aspiration to see outdoor learning and play become a defining feature of ELC in Scotland
Our aspiration is to see outdoor learning and play becoming a defining feature of funded ELC in Scotland. Does criteria 3 capture this ambition?

Of the organisations that responded, Local Government, Third Sector and Voluntary Providers, and Representative Body respondents were the most likely to say that no criteria 3 didn't help, with Private Providers and Local Government Nurseries and Schools most likely to say yes that criteria 3 will help to achieve the Scottish Ambition around outdoor learning and play (see Figure 7).

Figure 7 – The extent to which different organisational types agree that criteria 3 captures the aspiration to see outdoor learning and play become a defining feature of ELC in Scotland
Our aspiration is to see outdoor learning and play becoming a defining feature of funded ELC in Scotland. Does criteria 3 capture this ambition?

In addition, respondents were asked in an open-text comment how criteria 3 could be strengthened in a way that is sustainable for providers. They were also asked what challenges, if any, exist for funded ELC providers to ensure children have access to outdoor play, and how these challenges can be overcome.

In their answer to these open-text questions, respondents raised the following points:

• Benefits of outdoor learning
• Need to define criteria 3 more precisely
• Challenges with regards to outdoor learning
• Strengthening outdoor play.

Each of these points will now be discussed in more detail.

6.1 Benefits of outdoor learning

Some respondents emphasised the positive impact outdoor learning and play has on children's development, as it was seen as enabling exploration and self-directed play. They particularly highlighted the importance of, where possible, free flow play between the indoors and outdoors. In this vein, respondents declared their support for the Scottish Government's ambition that outdoor learning and play becomes a defining feature of the funded ELC offer.

6.2 Need to define criteria 3 more precisely

Despite their general support for the Scottish Government's ambition, many respondents highlighted that criteria 3, as currently defined, does not capture the Scottish Government's ambition for outdoor learning to become a defining feature of ELC in Scotland. Respondents felt that there was currently a lack of clarity as to what exactly constitutes "access to outdoor play". Respondents therefore suggested that criteria 3 should be more specific about:

• What exactly constitutes an outdoor space and "a range of environments"
• The frequency with which children should have access to the outdoors.

6.3 Challenges regarding outdoor learning

The majority of respondents outlined a number of challenges linked to criteria 3, including:

• Not all providers have access to outdoor spaces or may not be able to offer "free flow" access to an outdoor space, particularly providers in urban areas. There was a concern that nurseries would receive bad grades from the Care Inspectorate due not having access to an outdoor space.
• The importance of health and safety during outdoor play was emphasised.
• It was felt that parents and carers may have negative attitudes towards outdoor play. Regarding this, the suggestion was made that parents and carers should be engaged with regularly and be informed about the benefits of outdoor play.
• The unpredictability of the Scottish weather was seen as a potential challenge for regular outdoor learning. Since the cost of suitable clothing may present a barrier for some parents, it was suggested that providers should provide children with weather proof outdoor clothing.
• Considering that some ELC staff may not feel confident with regards to outdoor learning and play, the importance for staff to receive training in delivering outdoor learning and play sessions was emphasised.
• The importance of having appropriate staff-child ratios during outdoor learning was noted.

6.4 Strengthening outdoor learning and play

Respondents made a number of suggestions as to how outdoor learning and play could be strengthened:

• It was suggested that capital funding should be provided to develop and improve ELC providers' outdoor areas.
• For providers that do not have their own outdoor space, it was suggested that the cost of transport to an outdoor space should be covered by the funded provider.
• The importance of partnership working was highlighted for the delivery of outdoor learning and play. Suggestions included ELC providers establishing links with community outdoor areas or sharing playgrounds with schools in a similar area. More generally, the importance for providers to make use of outdoor spaces in their local environment was noted.