Outdoor play and the garden

Why movement and outdoor access matter

Movement and exercise are essential to develop and refine fine and especially gross motor skills, coordination and confidence. Movement keeps our children active, alert and healthy, but also positively benefits the cognitive, social and emotional development of the child. Children therefore have full access to our outdoor area daily.

The outdoors as part of the prepared environment

Both the indoor and outdoor learning environments at Alamiyah Montessori are set up to cover all the areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as well as the Montessori curriculum areas.

Play is facilitated through the provision of a vast range of materials both indoors and outdoors. A full range of Montessori materials are available for children to explore freely and independently.

The Montessori Preschool room is divided into seven main areas with the other areas being covered through circle times and outdoor play.

Garden time in the day

In the morning session, 9:00am to 1:00pm, whole group circle time takes place at 11:30pm before garden time. Garden time runs from 12:00 to 1:00, and morning children leave between 1:00 and 1:05.

In full day sessions, 9.00 to 3.30, garden time runs from 12.00 to 1.00. From 1.00 to 1.30 children will eat a healthy packed lunch provided by their parents.

On the published Preschool timetable, 1:00 to 2:00 is outdoor work cycle and garden time, which is also when children in the morning session go home at 1:00 and when staff take their lunch break.

Going outdoors in all weather

We suggest all garments are made from cotton or alternative natural, breathable fabrics where possible and be suitable for all weather.

In the winter all children must bring a warm coat with a hood since children will go outdoors in all weather, in addition they should bring a warm hat and gloves or scarf. In warmer transitional weather such as Autumn, Spring and Summer all children should bring in a rain jacket since children must be prepared to go outdoors in rainy weather.

Outdoor footwear should be sensible shoes or trainers. Open toe and open back sandals are not permitted. Shoes with laces can only be worn if your child can fasten shoelaces independently.

Outdoor shoes are not permitted in the room so please provide your child with a pair of indoor shoes that we will keep at the setting. Indoor shoes can be slippers or plimsolls. To protect children's feet, all shoes and slippers should have a hard sole not a fabric sole and should not be open toe or open back. Slippers must be clearly labelled with your child's name.

What families agree to

To ensure that your child comes in clean and tidy according to the dress code and appropriate for the weather, see the Alamiyah Montessori Dress Code.