Youngsters follow an adult ‘walking the plank’ in the fields outside Farley nursery. Inspectors gave it a glowing report
Posted on 11/12/2006 6:47:05 PM PST by saquin
In an age when children appear to be anchored to TV and computer screens and kept indoors against a harsh and threatening world, the youngsters of Farley nursery are being set free.
Most of their day is spent outside, even when the rain is falling. The 20 pupils come inside only for breaks and the rest of the time are allowed to roam, to make dens, mud pies and explore.
Sue Palmer, the head, believes "outdoor learning" is a better way of teaching very young children than enclosing them in classrooms. She is preparing to enrol babies in the New Year at what she claims is Britain's first "outside nursery".
Farley, which currently takes children aged from two to five, is set beside a church in a village with thatched houses near Salisbury, Wiltshire. It is based in a former Victorian primary school adjoining a two-acre field.
The privately-run nursery charges a minimum of £12.50 for children attending from 9am to noon up to £35 for a full day from 8am to 6pm.
Mrs Palmer, 49, says there is nothing clever about her teaching style which includes using whatever children chance upon, including logs, stones and insects, to show them how to count and write.
She says Britain has forgotten how important it is to let children be free and her system is only deemed unusual because society is now so risk averse. The children wrap up warm and learn about the danger of fire by sitting around a real outdoor fire and make obstacle courses out of logs and planks. They are allowed to stay outside when it gets dark.
"Today's world is too sterile," said Mrs Palmer. "Children are wrapped up in cotton wool. My children know stinging nettles sting and that brambles are nasty. They know that fire is dangerous.
"Some nurseries say 'Let's go indoors, it's raining'. But we say 'Come on, let's go and splash in the puddles.' " Experts have long argued that school-age children should be allowed to take risks during play but there has been a growing trend for schools and local authorities to curb their chances of adventure for fear of being sued if an accident happens.
Farley is unusual in that it is embracing outdoor play for pre-school children as the route to early learning. Children are allowed to go inside whenever they want, but seldom choose to. During a full day from 8.00am to 6pm, they might only go inside for lunch and two "snack" breaks. The only weather the babies will not allowed out in is fog, said Mrs Palmer, because it is bad for their chests.
Teachers from other schools and advisers from the education authority have visited the nursery for ideas. Ofsted inspectors have declared the site "outstanding". In September, they reported: "Children thrive in a stimulating and vibrant environment. They relish taking part in a wide range of exciting activities in a predominantly outdoor learning environment."
Mrs Palmer said: "Everyone is so in awe of what we are doing.
But it's not rocket science. This is how childhood should be. Ninety per cent of their day is spent outdoors. Other schools are saying 'We want to do what you're doing'. What makes me cross is that other nurseries can do it but don't."
Parents claim their children are healthier and robust. Jenny Nott, 35, who has a two-year-old daughter, Lily, at the school, is nine months pregnant and planning to enrol her new baby. "Kids need to be outside," she said. "It will keep them healthy to be outside in the winter. They spend too much time inside at television and computer screens."
My God! Someone gets it.
My 3 boys spent most of their days outside when they were small. And if they didn't want to go outside I tossed them out there. Boys need fresh air! ;)
susie
More power to her. And may all atourney's trying to sue her for mishaps fall in their own pits.
self ping
Let kids be kids! How revolutionary.
I wonder how come they're so clean.
My kids spent much of their days outside (when I lived in the country, of course). Kids go insane if they can't romp outside a lot.
Thanks.
Hurrah!!! I hope this catches on. My bonus son is a big healthy boy of 13 who has been so wrapped in "cotton wool" (I just love that) that he knows how to do nothing and is afraid of almost everything. Since we have him most weekends now, we are exploring stuff he should have been doing at 4 and 5.
Researchers now believe that part of the so-called attention deficit comes from constant exposure to tv and videos. Children can' focus on anything for more than seconds, because the only input they've ever known is the constantly changing tv screen. They can't focus long enough to read or to appreciate what they read, they can't focus long enough to learn anything, so the cure is drugs???
Hurrah!!! I hope this catches on. My bonus son is a big healthy boy of 13 who has been so wrapped in "cotton wool" (I just love that) that he knows how to do nothing and is afraid of almost everything. Since we have him most weekends now, we are exploring stuff he should have been doing at 4 and 5.
Researchers now believe that part of the so-called attention deficit comes from constant exposure to tv and videos. Children can' focus on anything for more than seconds, because the only input they've ever known is the constantly changing tv screen. They can't focus long enough to read or to appreciate what they read, they can't focus long enough to learn anything, so the cure is drugs???
its a lovely happy well run nursery.. the children are happy and learning about outside life..the adults associated with the nursery all believe in what they are doing and support Sue and her team .. the children are doing what children should do... exploring.. observing... discovering... and having fun without it being an electronic means!
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