About half of the blog posts on this website are early years in focus. I am currently working 50% on early years work and 50% on primary matters. In Scotland, one is qualified to teach from 3-12yrs with a primary school education qualification.
To find a relevant blog post, a quick way is to use the search facility below. Just type in a key word and see which blog posts come up. Please do come back in a couple of months as I intend to categorise this section once again.
Outdoor Toilets and Children
When children need to go they need to go!
Hand hygiene outdoors
Removing one of the barriers to working outside with groups.
12 reasons to have stumps in your outdoor space
Stumped for ideas? Check out this blog post about why every school needs a stump or several!
Dunblane Nature Kindergarten – A transformation from traditional to nature-based practice
Fantastic example of positive impact of nature-based practice.
Legacy and Loss
What’s your professional and personal impact?
Out to Play 12: Caring for Our Outdoor Spaces
Just published. Time-saving links and a download.
How to make a felt outdoor seat
A warm, colourful and sustainable approach to portable seats for outdoor use.
Dandelion Play – 12+ Outdoor Ideas For All Ages
Recipes, games, challenges galore in celebration of a brilliant wild flower!
An Outdoor Memory Game
A home-made nature-based game of pairs. Simple and effective.
Nettle Soup
A memorable foraging experience for children.
10+ Simple Resources for Outdoor Learning You Can Make With Your Class
No money? No problem. Ideal for skinted not minted schools.
The Joy of a Pocket-sized Cotton Ten Frame
The ultimate go-anywhere ten frame resource
Kate Greenaway Nursery – A Special Place for Special People
A 0-5 natural play space designed with and for children that stands the test of time.
A Naturalised Outdoor Space for Babies
A rare example of outdoor provision for Under 2’s.
10+ inspirational mirror placements in outdoor spaces
Mirrors are magic. Every outdoor space needs mirrors!
The Joy of a Slide
Everyone loves a slide. Here’s some mouthwatering examples.
Nets for Outdoor Play, Display and Learning
Nets are a forgotten resource that have tremendous value in learning and play settings.
Wooden Cable Drums – Developing Physical and Literacy Skills Outside
A collection of cable drums increases learning and play at Stramash.
Outdoor Weaving Inspiration
Creative weaving of ideas and possibilities. Enjoy!
10+ Useful Little Bits and Pieces to Support Loose Parts Play
Essential little items for loose parts play.
Pallets & Pre-school Outdoor Play
A visual tour of a nursery outdoor space where pallets feature in lots of different ways.
40+ Suggestions for Exploring Rotation Outside
Taking a new spin on the subject…
Story Washing Lines Outside
One of the most effective ways of reading a story to a group outside.
The Clootie Tree
A beautiful respectful tradition of wishing better health for all.
An Outdoor Music Wall
A child-centred approach to developing a music area.
The “Sensori” Water Station
Using loose parts to create a temporary water feature.
The Interactive Pallet Play Station
Exploring the life cycle of a pallet play area.
Portable Water Walls
Great for packaway play or older children collaborating to create walls for younger ones.
Developing a water play area
It’s an ongoing place of experimentation for staff as well as children
Willow Lattice Arches and Panels
When children are left to play watch their creative approaches unfold.
25+ Outdoor Literacy Books, Packs, Videos and Downloads
Useful source of info – check out the links. many FREE downloads.
Creating DIY Tree Baskets from Willow
Superb way to protect a tree in a sustainable DIY approach.
7 Reasons to Have Willow Structures in your School Grounds
Why willow works wonders in schools
A Bird Feeding Garden
An inspirational nature-friendly, low cost bird feeding area
Investigating and using feathers – 10 Ideas
Coloured feathers, wild bird feathers, tickly feathers galore!
Creating Bird Friendly Schools and Nurseries
Birds are brilliant to watch, identify and learn from.
