Providing quality outdoor learning in the EYFS

Understand your requirements around outdoor learning, and see how to get the most out of your outdoor space and how to make sure it complements your indoor provision.

Last reviewed on 10 June 2022
School types: All · School phases: Nursery
Ref: 10225
Contents
  1. You must provide outdoor learning 
  2. Check if your environment is set up to run quality provision 
  3. No time limits for outdoor learning 
  4. Outdoor learning should complement indoor activities  
  5. Think beyond physical development 

You must provide outdoor learning 

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework requires you to provide access to an outdoor play area. If you're not able to do this, you must make sure you provide outdoor activities on a daily basis (unless this is inappropriate, e.g. in unsafe weather conditions). 

This is outlined in paragraph 3.59 of the 2021 EYFS statutory framework

Check if your environment is set up to run quality provision 

Use our audit tool to evaluate your outdoor learning environment. 

It will help you check whether you've got the key things you need to run effective outdoor provision. You don't necessarily need everything that's included in the audit, but it will help you cover some of the key areas.

Learning walks are also a good way to assess your outdoor provision. Read our how-to guide and download our learning walks templates to help.

The statutory guidance doesn't specify an amount