Outdoor play is an integral part of the curriculum for all age groups and requires specific planning and supervision amongst the staff team.
The outdoor areas are a useful resource, and every effort is made that the children have supervised free access to the outdoor learning environment every day – weather permitting.
Procedures
● Same child/adult ratio applies.
● Children will never be left alone on play structures.
● Staff will have simple clear rules that can be understood by the children. They will phrase the rules and guidelines in such a way that tells the children what to do as opposed to, what not to do.
● Staff will educate children on safety-help them to determine what is safe and what is not safe. They will tell children about proper uses of equipment and demonstrate where appropriate.
● All outside gates are safely always secured and checked by staff prior to and during outdoor play.
● We ensure that children are dressed appropriately. In hot weather they must always wear sunhats and sunscreen. In cold weather they wear their hats and coats to ensure they are kept warm during outdoor play.
● Drinking water will be provided throughout play.
● Staff will position themselves separately in outdoor play space areas in such a way that all children can be always seen.
● As part of the implementation of the Smart Start programme, designed by the Health Promotion Unit and the Early Years Inspectorate from the Department of Education – children will engage, learn, explore and discover in the outdoor learning environment – every day.
● Children need to have appropriate clothing provided for all weathers such as: warm hats, coats, waterproof clothing, wellies, sun cream, sun hats, and sunglasses. Children should always wear safe and appropriate footwear in the outdoor learning environment. If you have any concerns regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Contact Information If you require further information regarding this policy contact:
Name Lorraine Casey, Business Manager
Phone number 094 93 70833
Email; glornanog@gmail.com
Date this policy was created Sept 2008
Date the policy is reviewed May 2024
Date this policy will be reviewed May 2026