Outdoor Play

My garden is fully set up for childminding, with a climbing wall/cargo net climbing frame for the bigger children and a fully enclosed 12ft trampoline (only used by 1 child at a time and under supervision) I also have a smaller trampoline with handle for the little ones, a sandpit, playhouse, water table, slide and swing. There are also ride on cars, large lorries, footballs and small pop up goal among other things to get the children outside and playing.

'It has been suggested that lack of physical activity has adverse effects on children's health, co-ordination skill and mental ability' (The Foundation Stage At Home, Dr Shirley Cobbald) and I try to encourage the children to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. There are books within the playhouse, for informal learning can take place outdoors, and we often have painting/craft sessions outside when the weather allows.

Alongside the garden I walk on some of the school pick ups, when time allows us. We stop at the park on the way home, or we have a small park at the back of our house that we can pop to within the day. During the holidays or again if time in the day allows, we make visits to soft play places and Wellington Country Park is a particular favourite.