Outdoor Planning - advice sought

Outdoor Planning - advice sought

by: whmon - 18-01-13 23:12

I've just taken on a new staff member who has a separate qualification in Outdoor Play. I've just had an idea and wanted to run it past you - I haven't spoken to the Manager about it yet and she may well Yay or Nay it.

I'm wondering how feasible it is to have the new staff member work with the other staff solely on Outdoor Planning, rather than doing complete planning of her own. What do you think? Is this a good idea or is it rubbish? I won't be at all offended if you think it is unworkable or inadvisable, I'm just after your expertise.

by: purepurple

I think it is a great idea. I saw a job advertised recently in a local nursery for an outdoor play co-ordinator with sole reponsibility for the outdoor environment so it is definitely worth considering.

by: Lil Miss Purple

Yup I think it's a great idea too, she then gives the other staff ideas, training etc on the outdoor planning. Her and the other staff could also bounce ideas off each other. Spread her knowledge but also gain new imput from others :)

by: Tish501

Briliany idea might encourage the teachers who are not so keen on outdoor play.....xx

by: kaz (the first one!)

Yes one of my staff had just been appointed Outdoor Play Co-ordintor by one of the managers. She is responsible for planning and making sure she had good resources to support each area as well as the child's individual needs. She talks to the other staff about what sort of activities they need and she has just cleared out the shed! Fabulous!

by: raramoo

Its a great idea!

by: EMMA!

I agree, it's a brilliant idea and will motivate the rest of your team by giving them ideas and seeing a difference x

by: Tiggy

Great! Get the garden expert in the garden making the garden great. It's the job I want!

by: Jam

It's a brilliant idea. A colleague and myself have been responsible for our outdoor area for a few years now, but we don't get the support from alot of the staff and whenever anything is broken or needs sorting out, it's left to us to do. Including tidying the shed! Now if I had that title maybe i would get abit more help from everyone else.

by: Tiggy

Tidying the shed is great. Last time I tidied a shed there was a half mummified dead rat. It was way cool!

by: Julie M PlayLearningLife

It CAN be a great idea - just one note of caution... many (many!) years of experience have demonstrated that unfortunately, in some cases, a 'named' person with repsonsibility for 'outdoors' means that everyone else gives up their own responsibiity for providing a diverse, purposeful and challenging curriculum outdoors.

If your staff member's role is to support, guide and advise her colleagues in THEIR OWN PRACTICE, using her specialist experience and knowledge, that will be marvellous.  If she creates a fabulous programme and resources outdoors cleverly, but is the only one using it regularly and frequently, not so good.

I'm not suggesting this will happen at your setting, please don't think I am.  A way forward will be to invite her to lead a twilight session outlining what she sees as the potential of your outdoors to support your setting's overall objectives.  As a team, you can then agree how you will move forward to ensure everybody's everyday practice benefits from her expertise and enthusiasm, and she can work on gaps in practice with members of your team, in a mutually supportive way.

The Shared Vision and Values for Outdoor Play in the Early Years (supported by NW amongst others) is an excellent document to help you think about what you want outdoor play to DO for your children (hope the link works!): 

http://www.playlearninglife.org.uk/content/resources/Vision%20and%20Values%20for%20web%20and%20handouts(5).pdf

Good luck - I know many settings would love to have an outdoor play specialist!

by: Regina

Sounds fabulous!  Share some ideas on here for us all please! 

by: Playforce UK

The outdoor play co-ordinator should be there to ensure children have access to high-quality, varied equipment that they enjoy playing with.