Nursery garden and outdoor policy and procedures

Principles

Outdoor play is essential for all aspects of a child’s development. It can provide children with experiences which enable them to develop intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically.

In doing so it provides a rich context for the development of their language and encourages positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle.

Outdoor play should be an integral part of early years provision. At our nursery the aim of both indoor and outdoor play is to provide a stimulating environment for children’s learning in all areas of the nursery curriculum. Close observation is essential in order to assess children’s ability and to ensure appropriate planning and continuity for the outdoor curriculum.

The provision and planning for outdoor play, just as indoor play, must reflect the diversity and richness of the experience and developing interests of the children. Some opportunities for learning can only happen outside. The experience of a change in the weather, finding a colony of ants under a big stone, making a large-scale construction with huge cardboard  cartons or painting on great long strips of wallpaper - all of these motivate children into  mental and physical engagement, and can only be done outside.

Aims and objectives

• To enhance children’s appreciation of the natural world and extend their learning experiences.
• To provide a healthy environment in which children can learn and develop.
• Group times are ideal to carry out in the outdoor area especially in good weather giving the children a different environment to express their feelings and energy.
• To allow children access to activities that promote appropriate areas of learning from the room garden planning, Room leaders must ensure that staff provide an activity to carry out to encourage children to participate and supervise.
• Space outdoors needs to be defined so that children know what activity takes place. This encourages the children to try different things rather than default to mainly running around or playing on the bikes and scooters.
• To implement free flow throughout the day which allows the children to play in an open environment.
• To allow the children to experience different seasons, to enjoy the fresh air.
• To stimulate brain activity by using the senses and improve motor skills.
• To allow children who may not have access to an outdoor activity at home to enjoy the garden.
• Each garden area should reflect the curriculum for observations and the curriculum focussed and spontaneous observations should be carried out by staff.
• Staff will complete plans for the outdoor area to ensure all areas of development are available for children by planning and implementing activities.

Garden policy and procedures

• Staff must interact with children, supporting and encouraging their learning opportunities, staff must not stand around and chat with colleagues, this is unacceptable. The only exception is when a child is showing deep play and staff is observing child.

Health and Safety 

• The garden will have an annual risk assessment check as well as new risk assessments every time a new piece of equipment or area is introduced.
• At the start of each morning session a member of staff will be responsible for Health and Safety Check. Checks should be completed before children enter the garden and all areas at the end of the day must be cleared of resources and the clean resources stored in an appropriate area.
• First Aid bag and radio must always be with staff.
• Staff will encourage children to take part in risk taking activities with good supervision.
• Staff will ensure that they use the count procedure to monitor the number of children in the garden. When coming in from the garden, staff will do a headcount using the room registers. The count head procedure should happen minimum 4 times. Before leaving room, before going into the garden, before leaving garden and on entry to home room. Head counts must be done by two different members of staff designated by room senior or person in charge. One member of staff must read children’s names from register and wait for child’s voice, and another must physically count children present. Both members of the staff must confirm number of children present in room or leaving nursery. If you are not sure about any part of headcount procedures please refer to “SUPERVISION, HEADCOUNT and RATIO POLICY.
• Whichever staff member leaves the garden last; they will check known areas where children can conceal themselves such as the tents, trees, tunnels, pirate ship etc and confirm no children are hiding.
• If all staff and children are leaving for a trip or to the garden one designated member of staff must check each room, clock room and children’s bathroom to confirm that no child is left behind.
• Sun cream should be applied 10-15 minutes before children are taken into the garden.
• Staff must provide shaded areas during the hottest part of the day and provide plenty of fresh water for children and encourage them to drink. This also applies to staff and adults.
• Sunhats should be provided by parents for each child and children should be encouraged not to share their hats. These will be washed after a child has worn them.
• Staff and adults should also wear sun cream, sun hats or sunglasses as appropriate.
• During wet weather children should wear appropriate clothing such as waterproofs, wellington boots, hats, scarves and gloves. If children use umbrellas, they should be supervised.
• In the event of the fire alarm going off do not come back into the building but exit the garden via emergency way.

Staffing ratios 

• The outdoor ratio adheres to the ratio policy within the nursery. No more than 3 children to 1 adult, unless the child is over 24 months and less than 36 months, when the ratio can be 5 children to 1 adult or 3 years and over when the ratio can be 8 children to 1 adult. Where children aged three and over attend settings for fewer than four hours in any one day the adult to child ratio can be one adult to 10 children
• The outdoor ratio is flexible when children require nappy changes or toilets as staff may need to leave the area to supervise children. Please ensure that staff support each other in these circumstances even if you are not from the same playroom.
• Every staff member in the garden should be vigilant of all children if they are in danger of hurting themselves.
• Wildcats and Pine Marten staff need to supervise children coming down from upstairs. Children are not allowed to come down the stairs on their tummies, backwards and in pairs.

General garden procedures 

• All garden resources should be cleaned with appropriate cleaning product on a regular basis, in line with current COVID – 19 regulations.
• Put all resources away at the end of the day including bikes, scooters, cars etc.
• Close all gates after each session in the garden if you are the last one out.
• Empty the outside bin on a regular basis.
• Ensure any parts of the garden that need attention are logged in the maintenance book with a clear description of what needs doing. Management Team need to be updated as soon as possible.
• If there is an issue of maintenance that could be a hazard, notify the manager immediately and let other rooms know so that they can avoid the hazard or delay outdoor activities.
• Please look out for wasp and ant nests.
• Do not play loud music unless it’s part of a group activity.