Outdoor Provision | EYFS

EYFS definition

Outdoor provision is the combination of spaces, resources, experiences and adult support available for learning outdoors. In EYFS practice, it can include movement, conversation, investigation, imaginative play and quieter experiences, shaped by the children and the setting’s surroundings.

What does outdoor provision include?

Provision includes how the space is used, the time available and the interactions that happen there. Weather, changing light, living things and room to move can offer experiences that develop differently outside.

An outdoor area may support many areas of learning together. Moving water through a channel, for example, can involve physical effort, problem-solving, shared language and noticing what changes.

What might it look like in practice?

  • A baby watches leaves moving while a familiar adult responds to their gaze and sounds.
  • Toddlers carry buckets, explore surfaces or return to a favourite patch of garden.
  • Older children build a route, observe minibeasts or make signs for an outdoor game.

How can it work in different settings?

A childminder’s garden, a nursery courtyard and a Reception outdoor area offer different possibilities. Nearby outdoor spaces may also contribute to children’s experiences.

Adults consider access, supervision, weather, suitable clothing and the needs of individual children. Some experiences invite active movement; others allow rest, conversation or close observation. The aim is to understand what a particular place makes possible and how children can take part.

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