Outdoor Play in the Early Years: Management and Innovation

This book offers a thorough investigation of the outdoor area and outdoor play in any early years setting. It stimulates and challenges practitioners to develop a truly effective teaching and learning environment by providing detailed guidance and discussion on organizing, managing and resourcing this environment. It is written for all practitioners working in Early Years settings, those taking relevant initial teacher education and professional development courses as well those pursuing vocational and diploma courses. Governing bodies and Headteachers would find this a useful text, especially as they introduce and develop their outdoor areas.

This second edition includes advice on how to provide outdoor play in infant settings and offers examples from teachers working in this field. Links are made between the Foundation Stage principles for early years education and the guiding principles for outdoor play and provision. The author discusses the structure of the day and how to include literacy and numeracy. Personal, social and emotional development, movement and thinking, bikes, fixed equipment and play scenarios are all discussed in detail. Further additions include a resource and equipment list, examples of assessment, running records, planning and a suggested outdoor area layout.

Helen Bilton is an Educational Adviser and Open University Assistant Staff Tutor.