Sutton Outdoor Pre-School Case Study

Sutton Outdoor Preschool is Birmingham’s first fully outdoor pre-school setting based in Sutton Park. It provides early education for children aged 2-5 years old during Birmingham term time.

Startwell have had the pleasure of working with Sutton Outdoor Preschool on the Startwell Award and we caught up with Liz (Preschool Manager) who has given us her top 5 tips for a successful outdoor setting.

Our Top 5 Tips:

  1. Dress for the weather. This applies to all participants – children and adults! Lots of thin layers overlapped are more beneficial than a few thick layers. Quality waterproofs.
  2. Be enthusiastic! Children enjoy being outside but will pick up on any negativity from adults so, embrace it, follow the children’s lead and relive your inner child! Suzy Startwell!
  3. Make the most of the space and resources available. Provide hidey spaces, “wild areas” where bugs might live, open-ended loose parts (planks, logs, wood slices, tree stumps, sticks, tarps for shelters…) Allow children to help set up the area based on their own ideas. Involve them in planning and designing. Think outside the box.
  4. On cold days embrace Active Azra and move more! If children are on the move they are active therefore warmer. Hide pictures for children to run and find, create a movement trail (hop to the mud kitchen, run to the tree…) or an obstacle course. Use timers to encourage children to “beat their own time” (and incorporate some maths at the same time). Adult participation also required (Suzy Startwell)!
  5. Don’t overthink it! Children cannot help but learn from their natural surroundings. Sometimes as adults we forget the awe and wonder, the physical opportunities and offer of creativity and imagination which the outdoor environment provides. Sometimes we just need to stand back and let the children show us how it’s done!

Here is a shopping list of some of Liz’s favourite pieces to use in the outdoor environment (Note: Startwell do not endorse any specific products, these are all examples):

  1. Didrickson’s waterproof coat and dungarees. Designed especially for little ones to keep them warm and dry while they play and learn. (They’re available from various companies online)
  2. A Hammock is great fun for the children to explore and play with.
  3. Three point hammocks are also a great social space, be it on top or hiding under.
  4. Climbing holds for trees are great for developing stability like Sammy Skills and won’t damage the trees so can be packed away too.
  5. Children’s outdoor digging set. Long and short handled digging tools are great for the children to use. (They’re available from various companies online)

Thank you to Liz and all the children at Sutton Outdoor PreSchool for the insight into their setting. If you would like more information about the preschool please contact Liz. Contact details: Liz Leddy, Preschool Manager: liz@suttonoutdoorpreschool.co.uk  07460 324 244

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