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Seascale Early Years Outdoor Play and Learning Area: Project supported by Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership

Well we have finally achieved our vision. The creation of an inspirational outdoor learning area for our youngest children at Seascale Primary School.

What a fantastic job Cool Canvas have done. The initial transformation took place in a week. We were all amazed by what the Team achieved in such a short time. Since then they have been back to plant out the area and create footpaths to help address a rather boggy issue. The final touches of the initial project were completed last week when a willow tunnel was added.

This huge project has been made possible with support from Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership through their Community Investment Funding. For this we are extremely grateful.

One of the aims in creating this area was to be able to work with other groups who work with young children within the wider community. Already we have had visits from children at PJs, and from children in our local Beaver and Squirrel groups. Our local Rainbows group will be using the area and staff from other Reception and Nursery settings have visited with a view to forging links and developing Community Playdays.

Outdoor learning is proven to help build self confidence, self esteem and motivation. Alongside this it promotes healthy, active life styles and provides opportunities to help develop those critical skills of co-operation, interaction, negotiation and self-regulation. All these aspects are of utmost importance for the development of our children.

We now have a wonderful outdoor space that actively promotes well being, that encourages risk taking, that provides opportunities for problem solving, creativity and negotiation, develops physical skills, communication and language skills and has opportunities for open ended play.

You only have to look at the photographs of the children to see the sheer delight, the concentration and engagement in their faces to know that they are loving playing and learning outside. How lucky are we!