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.
For curious children, a medieval moated century manor house with a 19th century Catholic chapel, gardens, lakeside walk and nature trail. Tire them out first and there's enough for a couple of hours.
This atmospheric house dates from the 15th century and was the home of the Ferrers family for 500 years.
The North East of England has a rich and varied industrial heritage. Public transport is part of that heritage and has affected everyday life in this northern region.
The oldest county museum in Ireland is set in Armagh's beautiful Georgian tree lined Mall. Its collections capture centuries of stories relating to the people who lived, worked and had connections with this famous city and historic county.
Looking for excitement in Cardiff Bay? Bay Island Voyages offers a great range of fun days out! From a blast around Cardiff Bay to a scenic tour of Flat Holm Island and the Bristol Channel on our new high speed RIB boats we have it covered!
Prices start from £7 and trips run daily from Mermaid Quay.
Quality art & craft fairs in Landsea Square: "On the Fringe" alongside the International Food & Drink Festival in Roald Dahl Plass and August Bank Holiday alongside the Harbour Festival.
Let Princess Katharine, a 90 seat waterbus, relieve the stress with a relaxing 25 minute cruise on the river Taff. An ideal link between Mermaid Quay and the City Centre. On the hour 10am to 4pm from Mermaid Quay and on the half hour 10.30am to 4.30pm from the City (Bute Park).
Cardiff Boat waterbus offers a regular service between Cardiff Bay and Cardiff City Centre.
Displaying and selling high quality craft and art by members of the Makers Guild in Wales and invited national and international artists. Practical craft workshops, art parties, conference facilities, workshop room hire, café.
Services for Schools & Colleges
England’s longest water filled moat surrounds the site which dates back to 1229.
Explore Michelham’s fascinating 800 year history, from its foundation by Augustinian canons, through the destruction caused by the dissolution of the monasteries in Tudor times and into its later life as a country house.
The museum is a former town house c1750, visited by Jane Austen.
Andover from prehistoric times to the present day. Enjoy an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions, including art, craft, photography, history and more... visit the museum and then relax in our coffee shop.
School visits to Andover Museum
Amersham Museum is an award winning museum located in a 15th century building in the heart of old Amersham. It is a hidden gem with a collection spanning 2,000 years of local history.
Our museum building is the oldest in Honiton with an interesting history. Documents show a chapel called Allhallows existed here before 1327. From the 16th century the building was used by Allhallows School until 1938 when the school moved to Rousdon. The chancel of the old chapel is now the Murch Gallery which houses many items of local interest.
An intimate setting for one of the South's most outstanding ceramics collection of English, continental and oriental pottery, porcelain and tiles from 1250 to the present day.
Clandon Park is one of the country’s most complete examples of a Palladian mansion. Built by a Venetian architect for Lord Onslow in the 1720s, the estate has been passed down through generations of this famous family.
Explore Trengwainton’s 25 acres and discover special plants nurtured for generations by those with a passion for their beauty and extraordinary story.
Spring comes early here with champion magnolias flowering from February onwards. Peer skywards to see their huge waxy blooms outlined against the sky, or look down to spot snowdrops lining the winding wooded paths.
A steep-sided dry stream valley on the edge of the Marlborough Downs near Swindon. Valued as flower-rich unimproved chalk grassland and traditional hay meadow. On entering the site visitors will glimpse a small spring fed stream bordered by hedgerow and old willow pollards. The stream separates the main valley from a colourful hay meadow.
The Prince's Trust programmes give young people the practical and financial support they need to stabilise their lives. They help develop key skills, confidence and motivation, enabling young people to move into work, education or training.
Lying just a few miles from the centre of Glasgow, this unique villa has been described as Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's finest domestic design. It was built in 1857-8 for James Couper, a local businessman.
Many rooms are richly ornamented in wood, plaster and marble. School groups are welcome. Please contact the Education Officer at Pollok House for details.
Welcome to ACUK - the best place for schools, youth groups, Church, faith, community and other groups to come for activities, retreats, conferences and sports. We're sure you'll find something here for you and your group at one of our top quality centres.
At ACUK we are passionate about people and seeing them develop and grow.
Designed by Scottish architect William Adam in 1732, Haddo House near Aberdeen is a magnificent example of an historic Scottish stately home.
School visits are available by prior arrangement and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
The magnificent site of St Helen's is the fantastic setting for one of our newer camps.
Kirriemuir Camera Obscura - one of only three remaining in Scotland - is housed in a purpose-designed turret room within the cricket pavilion on Kirriemuir Hill.
Both the camera obscura and the cricket pavilion were donated in 1930 by the author J M Barrie (1868-1937), a native of Kirriemuir.
Facilities: Gym, Outdoor Tennis Courts, Netball Courts, Astroturf Pitches (floodlit), Community Function Room, Sports Hall
Sports: Aerobics, Basketball, Circuit Training, Cricket, Judo, 5-a-side Football, Badminton, Hockey, Gymnastics, Netball
WWT is a conservation charity that saves wetlands, which are essential for life itself. Wetlands are the primary source of drinking water for people and wildlife. They also connect us with nature, and with ourselves, through beautiful landscapes and inspiring encounters with wildlife.
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.