In recent years there has been a cultural shift in our society that has reduced the access and use of outdoors for many young children.
A number of factors are blamed, including increased fear amongst adults in relation to children’s safety, anxieties about the threat of abduction, and technological advances leading to an overwhelming prominence of more sedentary indoor activities, such as television and computer games. However, the developmental needs of young children have remained constant and the outdoor environment continues to be essential to their health, development and well-being. Therefore, regular opportunities for sustained periods of play in a rich and stimulating outdoor environment offer a wide range of benefits to babies, toddlers and young children.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum, which covers children aged birth to the end of the Reception year, became statutory in September 2008 and places strong emphasis on the importance and value of daily outdoor experiences for children’s learning and development.
Learning outside the classroom supports the development of healthy and active lifestyles by offering children opportunities for physical activity, freedom and movement, and promoting a sense of well-being. It gives them contact with the natural world and offers them experiences that are unique to outdoors, such as direct contact with the weather and the seasons. Outdoor play also supports children’s problem-solving skills and nurtures their creativity, as well as providing rich opportunities for their developing imagination, inventiveness and resourcefulness.
And, of course, the outdoor environment offers more space than indoors and therefore is particularly important to those children who learn best through active movement. For many children, playing outdoors at their early years setting may be the only opportunity they have to play safely and freely while they learn to assess risk and develop the skills to manage new situations.
While many of these experiences will take place on-site, outdoor learning may also take place within the local community, for example a walk to the bakery, or past the building site on the way to the park. These off-site ‘expeditions’ offer both children and adults a catalyst for play and conversations. Ultimately, play and learning that flow seamlessly between indoors and outdoors make the most efficient use of resources and build on interests and enthusiasms. Forest Schools are growing in popularity across the UK and are increasingly offered as part of the early years curriculum in schools and settings.
Finally, parental involvement in children’s learning is particularly important in the early years as parents and carers are the child’s first educators. Early years settings, including children’s centres, are increasingly involving parents in developing and using their outdoor areas and in supporting other outdoor learning opportunities.
The Little Chapel is incredibly small. In fact it is only about 4 metres or just under 13ft tall! Amazingly it does actually have two floors, despite the size.
It was built by Brother Déodat, who started work in March 1914. His plan was to create a miniature version of the famous grotto and basilica at Lourdes in France.
The Guernsey Tapestry is a modern tapestry with each panel showing a 100 years of the history is the island. It took over 2 years (at 25 hours per week) to sew!
You and your children can learn about each panel using the audio guide (included in the price). This is available in French and German as well as English, so you have a choice for any budding linguists!
Wild, open Goatfell, at 874m (2,866ft), is the highest peak on Arran. Walkers and mountaineers who venture into this dramatic and challenging upland landscape are rewarded with spectacular views of the island and, on a clear day, across to Ben Lomond, Jura and the coast of Ireland.
Be wowed by the Tudor Great Hall with its fantastic furniture, arms, armour, tapestries and the carved oak screen, a rare survivor from the 1500s. History springs to life in the Hesketh's dining room, its food-laden table, lit candles and 'fire in the hearth' waiting to welcome the family's dinner guests.
Sherwood Forest offers an array of activities to complete your family break. Visit the Nature Centre for a wealth of information about the wildlife on our Village or laze around on a pedalo overlooking the lake and the beautiful forest. There are a great selection of shops to explore and all the family favourite restaurants for all your dining needs.
Let your imagination run riot among the unusual plants, colours, sculptures and magical features in one of the most beautiful gardens in Northern Ireland.
At just 1,049 feet (320 m) high, Roseberry Topping may not be the biggest hill you'll ever see, but it will certainly be one of the most distinctive. Its shape, caused by the combination of a geological fault and a mining collapse in 1912 has made the hill the most beloved landmark in the Tees Valley area.
London Fields Lido is a 50m Olympic size, heated outdoor swimming pool open all year round and located in Hackney, central London.
Offers four separate pools (competition size, splash, teaching and diving) and has a well balanced programme of lessons and sessions to satisfy the needs of all swimmers.
Multi level adventure play frame packed with modern soft play features and padded challenges plus slides, ball pits and more. Special needs sessions available.
The huge warehouse provides the perfect setting for indoor adventure and there are plenty of comfy sofas and armchairs in the cafe area with good visibility over the play frame.
For children from 6 months to 10 years, adventure soft play facility with separate areas for different ages with age appropriate equipment and a secure perimeter.
Activities include baby slides, mid-slides, drop slide and the long wavey slide, ariel runway, soft bricks, rope nets, cargo nets, baby ball pond and larger ball pont, tunnels and plenty of obstacles!
One of the very best in indoor play, Eddie Catz is the place to bring your child to play, have a party, take a class or join a workshop or an event! Our fun, safe environment has something for every child to do.
The centre boasts a giant playframe, toddler area, reading and dressing up area, party rooms and a purpose-built sports' pitch.
Grab your wellies, for an unforgettable learning experience outdoors designed to support your teaching and learning in school.
Slimbridge Wetland Centre is an unforgettable day out for groups – it’s the wetland that inspired Sir Peter Scott to found WWT in 1946. When your group visits, you will see why.
Since the decline of the gardens from the 1940s onward; various restoration phases have been undertaken, including the many heritage structures.
The park is located half a mile from Bilston Town Centre. The park opened in 1911 as a memorial to Sir Alfred Hickman, a local industrialist and former MP.
Built originally by Llywelyn the Great, taken and remodelled by Edward I then sacked by Owain Glyndwr, the castle sits in an impressive location, overlooking Cardigan Bay with views to nearby Harlech Castle. We also provide Medieaval Treasure Chest handling and self-led activity packs on Castles, English and Science, Technology and Mathematics.
Bantock Park is one of Wolverhampton's district parks and has a rich history. Bequeathed to its present day custodians in 1938 on the death of Alderman Albert Bantock, this former farm has undergone restoration works, partly funded by the Herotage Lottery Fund.
At the heart of our cultural learning offer is access to excellence for everyone across all of the WAVE venues.
Upton upon Severn is a lively little town that owes its existence to the River Severn. There are numerous pubs and hotels, many along the river, which provide a variety of fine ales and good food. In the 19th Century these used to serve the men who worked on the boats carrying goods to and from the port of Bristol.
Conderton Pottery is a small family run ceramics studio and gallery set in a gorgeous quintessentially English garden and orchard. The artisan pots are made for cooking and presenting food as well as gardening - reflecting the two passions of the ever entertaining potter Toff Milway. There are many lovely walks in the surrounding countryside.
Cascades Leisure Centre is a friendly sports centre and offers swimming, children’s activities, gym facilities and a health suite along with a varied programme of events
The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury offers a varied programme covering all aspects of the arts:
Drama, Comedy, Ballet, Musicals
Films
Events
Live Music
Workshops
We have lots of exciting live events at The Roses
Delve into the fascinating world of Gloucester's Victorian docks at this museum and meet the people and wildlife of our wonderful waterways. Discover impressive facts about the ingenious engineering of the waterway system and explore home life aboard a narrow boat.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.