Welcome to Early Years Outdoor Learning – an advice and support service for all things early years.
An approach to outdoor learning that considers experiences rather than equipment places children at the centre of the provision being made.
Blog
What is the point of the phonics screening check?
What is the point of the Phonics Screening check? THE introduction of the Phonics Screening Check (PSC) in 2012 was introduced as a ‘light-touch screening to identify pupils in need of additional support in the classroom’. In reality, it ranks…
Why the settling in period is so important
Why the settling in period is so important We’ve all seen the photos posted on social media, every September, of children ready to start the new academic year, particularly of children who are going to school for the first time!…
What’s more important – baseline or settling in?
What’s more important – baseline or settling in? There has been a lot written about baseline recently with the trialling of the new baseline assessment starting in September. But the start to each academic year always provides practitioners with a real…
Testimonials
Professional Development
Jackie’s constant support and constructive feedback really helped me improve teaching phonics. The result was engaging, multisensory phonics activities that helped pupils to make remarkable progress. As a result, children became confident readers and active writers. Pupils were reading for pleasure and were able to take ideas from the stories and then write stories of their own!
Jackie’s passion and enthusiasm for outdoor learning have no limits. She has the most amazing ideas of how to take learning outside and engage children in a wide range of activities. Her training was insightful, helped us as teachers understand exactly how children learn and enabled us to plan and deliver a greater range of outdoor activities.
Thank you, Jackie Slaughter!
Claudia Odorog – Reception teacher – Forest Academy, Croydon 2017
CONSULTANCY
Jackie worked with us to develop teaching and learning, in the EYFS outdoor area. She audited the provision, provided the leadership team and EYFS staff with clear feedback and next steps. Jackie modelled lessons for all staff and provided numerous ideas for extending the provision to provide opportunities for following children’s interests and develop critical thinking through problem-solving and collaboration.
The impact of this support, over the course of a half term, was noted during a visit by the local authority, in March 2018, which stated that “Wide sweeping changes have been implemented and to good effect since the review in January…. the outside provision is rich, stimulating and engaging for children…. The EYFS outside area is now buzzing with excitement and providing children with meaningful activities to become confident, curious learners.”
Lucy Campbell, Headteacher – Kings Oak Primary School, New Malden – April 2018
Outdoor learning inset
Thank you very much for your time and effort involved in running the workshops on Monday. Although I didn’t do an evaluation form, verbally the responses were very positive and the support staff came away buzzing with ideas and information.
Claire Howarth, Principal – The Woodside Academy, Croydon – November 2017
