OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
Outdoor Classroom
At Abacus Day Nursery, the 'Foundation Phase' for all children from aged 3 - 7, has moved away from table top activities and into child led activities and more outside.
The garden is used by all ages, and the red room (pre school) children for as much of the day as possible, including wet/ cold weather. Everyone should have the necessary clothing and get out there. There's rarely a day when all rooms including babies, toddlers and pre-school, don't 'go out'.
Book Shed:- this where the children can go and sit comfortably and look at books or listen to stories a
mark making hut for the children to explore with pens, pencils, chalks.
Pram Park:- this is for you to leave your prams whilst your children are with us.
Water Play:- we have lots of resources for water play, including down pipes, tubing, water spray and the children have access to the hose and outside tap.
Climbing Area:- There are
lots of resources such as planks, poles, tarpaulins and crates for the children to create their own structures to climb etc. This creates a some risk for the children, this helps the children learn about assessing those risks and how they can take risks and minimise the consequences. It also really benefits their gross motor skills.
Loose Parts Shed:- Loose parts is the age old idea that the children prefer to play with the box rather than the brand new toy within it. Loose parts can be anything that isn't a specific toy with a specific use. Loose parts encourage creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving. They help to build up the children's confidence because there is no right or wrong way to play with them. It's all about exploring, testing, learning and fun.
Mud Kitchen:- We have a large mud kitchen where the children can get messy and creative. Children experience sensory, emotional and imaginative play as well as developing maths, science and speaking skills. We use vegetable peelings as well and then this all goes into tour compost bin to create compost for our growing.
There is an area at the very bottom of the garden with a few trees where we have rope swings and a slack line. We occasionally have fires either to keep warm in the colder weather or to cook on. The children help to prepare the food and cook it over the fire with supervision. This can be anything from spaghetti bolognaise to toasted cheese sandwich. These types of activities sets learning in a different context for children where they can undertake a range of practical activities and carry out small achievable tasks. They can develop their team working skills and also learn to become more independent.
We have a wood working area where the children can learn how to use hammers, nails, screws and screwdrivers safely. There is plenty of different sizes and shaped wood for them to choose from to design and make their models. Woodwork lets children make their own choices and learn through trial and error. It sparks creative thinking and imagination, qualities that are at least as important in our changing world as the practical skills gained.