Advice note for hard-working educators and partner providers of outdoor learning and play: This list can appear overwhelming. Not every document is relevant for your day-to-day work with children and young people. Neither is this put together as a reading list. I put this together so that it is quick to access key information, extract quotes for research and presentations and to demonstrate the national commitment to outdoor learning and play over many years. Despite a lot of positive commentary, the amount of investment and support for outdoor learning and play is a matter of debate and seems to vary within and between sectors. Also questions have to be asked in light of recent research funded by NatureScot and led by Dr Greg Mannion in 2023 whether we need to think beyond documents to other forms of support for frontline staff.

The Scottish Government and other national organisations have produced a wide range of publications which can help schools and early years and childcare settings develop their outdoor learning and play provision. Below is the collection I have gathered in an approximate timeline.

Notes:

• Many other documents exist prior to 2007  that refer to outdoor learning in various guises. I feel that Taking Learning Outdoors is a defining point within Curriculum for Excellence. It was the catalyst of what has emerged since there. It is also rare in that it provides a definition of outdoor learning.
• There may be other documents which are also worthy of inclusion in the list below which I have forgotten about. Please let me know of any inadvertent omissions
• Nationally in Scotland, outdoor learning is one component of Learning for Sustainability. I’ve only included some links to key documents as otherwise it’s all overwhelming. For a more comprehensive selection, have a look at Learning through Landscapes Scotland collection. This includes their own publications and those of other third sector organisations beyond Education Scotland, the Scottish Government and the Care Inspectorate which have been my specific focus.
• Education Scotland have a summary outdoor learning resources. They also have a Learning for Sustainability summary list. As outdoor play is not really a focus in the Education Scotland link, the best place to check on these publications is the fantastic Play Scotland website. If you want to access some outdoor learning webinars from Education Scotland – have a look at the collection I’ve put together.
• Almost documents are aimed at all sectors/levels in Scottish education, especially the ones published prior to 2016.
• The links are provided in good faith. If they no longer work, please let me know. 

Care Inspectorate (2024) Space to Grow and Thrive. The updated design guidance for early learning and childcare and school age childcare settings. It builds upon the previous resource and lessons learned from the pandemic and expansion of ELC provision. This includes lots of information about outdoor environments and settings.

The Scottish Government (2023) Out to Play Section 12: Caring for Our Outdoor Spaces This document is all about practical approaches and strategies for caring effectively about our outdoor spaces, be this beside our indoor setting or if you access local greenspace. Sections and downloads can be accessed separately here.

Scottish Government (2023) Commission for Land-based Learning Review – Report to Scottish Ministers. Whilst not an education document per se the recommendations are almost entirely about outdoor learning

Children and Young People Improvement Collaborative (2022) Out to Play Improve A summary of how six ELC teams improved the quantity of outdoor play. Lots of encouraging advice, evaluation report and video.

Care Inspectorate (2022) A Quality Framework for the Daycare of Children, Childminding and School-aged Childcare. This document is the one used during Care Inspectorate inspections. There are many references to outdoor environments, experiences and interactions.

Scottish Government (2022) Putting Learners at the Centre: Towards a Future Vision for Scottish Education (The Muir Report). This is about educational reform. Whilst the recommendations do not include outdoor learning, play or Learning fir Sustainability, see pages 15, 18 and 19 for positive commentary about these aspects of education.

Children’s Parliament Investigates Learning for Sustainability (2022). This report and investigation is a valuable insight into the recommendations and calls to action by our children and young people. We must take account of their views and act upon them. See the link for details of the whole focus.

Care Inspectorate (2022) Keeping Children Safe Practice Notes: At present there are two directly related to outdoor provision: Keeping Children Safe: Supporting Trips and Outings in Early Learning and Childcare Settings and Supporting Curiosity and Exploration in ELC. These are curious pieces of advice that I feel does not sit comfortably with all the documents that have been previously published owing to the negative assumptions, lack of positive examples of keeping safe and the risk averse tone about outdoor provision. After all children will and do leave when inside a building.

Care Inspectorate (2022) My Active World Move more to nurture happy, healthy children. This resource offers a wealth of fun ways to be physically active.

Education Scotland (2022) Successful Approaches to Learning Outdoors is a positive document that looks at schools and ELCs with inspections where outdoor learning was a positive contributor to an inspection.

Care Inspectorate (2022) A Quality Framework for Daycare of Children, Childminding and School-Aged Childcare This document references the need to have quality outdoor experiences and environments where children can freely play and learn.

The Scottish Government (2021) Going Out There.  This is the national guidance about off-site excursions. Every local authority will have their own guidance which must be followed by local authority run settings. It does get updated via the website so keep checking on a regular basis. The Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education (SAPOE) and HSE also have input.

Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education (2020) Outdoor Education Centres: Fit for the Future This guidance was commissioned by the Scottish Government and developed by the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education (SAPOE) in partnership with Education Scotland, Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres and the Youthlink Scotland Outdoor Group.

The Scottish Government (2021) also produced another document A Systematic Review of Nature-based Early Learning and Childcare on Children’s Health, Wellbeing and Development. This is interesting for a number of reasons, not least the small number of research documents covering this theme and the poor quality of much of the research.

Scottish Government (2020) Educational Outcomes of Learning for Sustainability: Literature Review This is a welcome summary which explores the impact of Learning for Sustainability. It frequently references the need for outdoor learning to be essential to the process.

Policy Scotland (2020) Outdoor Learning Briefing Paper was published just after the lifting of the first Covid Lockdown.

Education Scotland (2020) Realising the Ambition: Being Me This is not specifically about outdoor provision. However, it is a significant document in that it is the first of its kind that truly integrates indoor and outdoor early years provision in a holistic way. There is clear recognition of the needs of children to spend significant amounts of time outside, particularly in nature and this is fantastic and welcoming sign of a real culture shift in early years education. It replaces Building the Ambition (2020).

Care Inspectorate (2019) Space to Grow: Indoor Outdoor Settings Guidance for creating high-quality experiences and opportunities for children in indoor/outdoor settings – further advice about outdoor provision as part of 1140 expansion. There is some very sensible advice about all aspects of outdoor provision for all ages and all settings including clothing, shelter, staff ratios, fire doors, etc.

The Scottish Government (2018) Out to Play: Practical Guidance for Creating Outdoor Play Experiences in Early Learning and Childcare This is the outdoor guidance mentioned in the previous document. It is for a broader range of provision and applicable to all ELCs as it contains guidance on a range of matters, not least everyone’s obligations under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. In 2021, three further sections were added:

• Section 9: Childminding Settings
• Section 10: Out of School Care Providers
• Section 11: Guidance for Supporting Children with Additional Support Needs

In October 2023, a further section was added:

• Section 12: Caring for Our Outdoor Spaces

Casey, T. & Harbottle, H. (2018) Free to Play: A guide to creating accessible and inclusive public play spaces. This document provides lots of advice about design principles, accessing funds and considering the space in a holistic way. Although not aimed specifically at schools and ELC groups, the information is worth reading. This guide was produced by Inspiring Scotland, Play Scotland and the Nancy Ovens Trust in support of the Play Strategy for Scotland.

Inspiring Scotland (2018) Scotland’s National Outdoor Play and Learning Position Statement This document is ratified by many organisations within Scotland that recognise the need for all children to have the right to play and learn outdoors.

The Scottish Government (2017) A Blueprint for 2020: The Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland: Quality Action Plan. This document sets out a key aim to develop guidance for establishing outdoor nurseries.

The Scottish Government (2017) Space to Grow is timely design guidance for early learning and childcare settings and out of school care settings. It has a good emphasis and set of questions for consideration of outdoor as well as indoor environments.

Inspiring Scotland (2016)  Loose Parts Play: A Toolkit. Practical guide to developing loose parts play. This has since been revised in 2019.

Play Scotland (2017) The Play Types Toolkit Playing is an integral part of children’s day in many educational and childcare settings.  Children play before the bell goes in the morning; at playtime and lunchtime; and after school ends.  Increasingly, playing is part of class time across Scotland too.  Educators are getting better at recognising the interconnections between playing, learning, growing, developing, being healthy and being happy.

Scottish Government (2016) Vision 2030+ is the report about progress made in implementing the recommendations  around Learning for Sustainabilty. It’s part celebration, part reflection, part forward thinking. In 2019, Education Scotland published a Learning for Sustainability Action Plan.

Care Inspectorate (2016) My World Outdoors   This document shares good practice and sets out the expectations of the Care Inspectorate with regard to play and learning wholly or partially outdoors.

Education Scotland (2015) How Good is Our School (4th Ed)? Whilst not specific to outdoor learning and play, there are 15 references to these and learning for sustainability.  The early years document is: How Good is Your Early Learning and Childcare?

Scottish Government (2103) The Play Strategy. There are two parts to the Play Strategy – Our Vision and Our Action Plan. Both documents cite the need for children and young people to be able to have daily free play opportunities in natural spaces. It is currently in the process of being updated.

One Planet Working Group (2012) Learning for Sustainability Report

This is the original document which makes recommendations about Learning for Sustainability. These were accepted by the Scottish Government almost in full.  It unites global citizenship, outdoor learning and education for sustainable development into one coherent, whole school approach. All GTCS registered teachers must actively embrace and promote the principles and practices of sustainability in all aspects of their work.

Building your Curriculum: Outside and In  (2011). This is an annex to the practical guidance document. It was created to help schools and centres think about where they are in terms of embedding outdoor learning and where they need to be. On the second page there’s a useful reflection tool.

Outdoor Learning – Practical Guidance for teachers and practitioners in Scotland (2011): This is the “how” document that was written to provide Scottish educators with suggestions and advice about learning outdoors. It provides research snippets and training activities as well. It is the first time free play is specifically referred to within education and recognition that outdoor play is an integral part of any school’s approach to learning outside.

North Lanark have adapted and refreshed one section relating outdoor learning to Getting It Right for Every Child into a poster. which can be  accessed here. 

Education Scotland (2010) Support for Professional Development in Outdoor Learning

This is a series of documents, one for each curriculum area which suggests which experiences and outcomes must be taught outside and which are flexible about where they can be achieved. They are now dated especially in regard to digital technologies as they were written prior to iPads coming on the market. This was my first national piece of work!

CfE Factfile – Outdoor Learning. This was produced by Learning and Teaching Scotland in May 2011. Aside from the links and references, it’s commentary remains valid. Originally it was aimed at parents and carers.

Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning is the statement of expectations about outdoor learning. It takes a marked step forward because it advocates:

• Frequent, regular and progressive outdoor experiences
• That outdoor learning is the responsibility of all staff, not an outdoor learning coordinator or keen individual
• That partnership working is necessary to provide the breadth and depth of outdoor experiences 

Back in 2010 I blogged in more detail about this document.

There are two documents within the Early Years Framework. This is the 10-year strategy published by the Scottish Government in early 2009. This is the first reference to Forest Schools and nature kindergartens in a national document that I can find.

Taking Learning Outdoors makes the connections between Curriculum for Excellence and outdoor learning explicit and provides the rationale for many of the publications in years to come.