Course Summary
Develop your confidence, knowledge and leadership skills in delivering high-quality outdoor play across Early Years.
This flexible training programme takes you from the foundations of outdoor play through to planning, development and whole-setting leadership.
You will explore how purposeful outdoor play supports children’s physical development, communication, confidence, creativity, emotional wellbeing and understanding of the world.
The course is practical, achievable and designed for real Early Years settings. You will learn how to make better use of the outdoor space and resources you already have without relying on expensive equipment or complicated planning.
Course Levels
Level 1: Getting Started with Outdoor Play
Build your confidence in taking children outdoors and understand the benefits of regular, child-led outdoor play.
Ideal for practitioners who are new to outdoor provision or would like simple ideas to strengthen their current practice.
Level 2: Developing Outdoor Play
Explore how to improve the quality, variety and purpose of your outdoor provision.
You will learn how to create engaging play opportunities that support the EYFS areas of learning and respond to children’s interests and developmental needs.
Level 3: Embedding Outdoor Play
Develop a consistent whole-setting approach to outdoor play.
You will explore observation, planning, adult interactions, inclusive practice and ways to make outdoor learning a meaningful part of everyday provision.
Level 4: Leading Outdoor Play
Build the confidence to lead, review and improve outdoor play across your setting.
You will learn how to support staff, develop action plans, involve families and create a clear long-term vision for high-quality outdoor provision.
Time to Complete
Complete the course online and work through each level and module at your own pace.
You can begin with Level 1 and progress through Levels 2–4 as your confidence, experience and responsibilities develop.
Upgrade to a Ultimate Account to Access this Course
What’s Included?
Practical outdoor play training videos
Ideas for improving everyday outdoor provision
Guidance linked to the EYFS areas of learning
Outdoor play activity demonstrations
Simple ideas using natural and reusable resources
Support for creating enabling environments
Strategies for effective adult interaction outdoors
Ideas for supporting different ages, needs and abilities
Reflective tasks to complete in your own setting
Downloadable prompts and planning support
Leadership guidance for improving whole-setting practice
A CPD certificate on completion
Level 1 Module Content
Module 1: Why Outdoor Play Matters
Explore how outdoor play supports children’s physical development, wellbeing, communication, confidence and independence.
Module 2: Getting Children Outdoors
Discover practical ways to make outdoor play part of the daily routine in all seasons.
Module 3: Simple Outdoor Play Resources
Learn how to use open-ended, natural and reusable resources to inspire play without creating unnecessary cost or workload.
Module 4: Supporting Child-Led Play
Explore how to follow children’s interests, allow time for exploration and avoid over-directing outdoor experiences.
Module 5: Managing Common Barriers
Develop practical solutions for weather, clothing, staffing, confidence, space and limited resources.
Level 2 Module Content
Module 1: Developing an Enabling Outdoor Environment
Learn how to organise your outdoor area into flexible spaces that encourage movement, creativity, investigation and collaboration.
Module 2: Physical Development Outdoors
Explore opportunities for climbing, balancing, carrying, building, running and developing fine and gross motor skills.
Module 3: Communication and Language Through Play
Discover how outdoor play can encourage conversation, storytelling, listening, vocabulary and imaginative communication.
Module 4: Maths and Literacy Through Outdoor Play
Learn how to introduce early number, mark-making, shape, measure, pattern, phonics and storytelling naturally through play.
Module 5: Creativity and Understanding the World
Explore outdoor art, construction, nature play, seasonal change, investigation and simple scientific thinking.
Level 3 Module Content
Module 1: Observing and Responding Outdoors
Learn how to observe children’s interests, development and play behaviours without interrupting meaningful learning.
Module 2: Planning from Children’s Interests
Explore flexible planning approaches that build on children’s ideas rather than creating adult-led activities for every session.
Module 3: Effective Adult Interactions
Develop strategies for modelling language, extending thinking, asking purposeful questions and knowing when to step back.
Module 4: Inclusive Outdoor Play
Learn how to adapt spaces, activities, routines and resources for children with SEND, sensory differences or physical needs.
Module 5: Risk, Challenge and Resilience
Explore the difference between risks and hazards and learn how appropriate challenge supports confidence, decision-making and resilience.
Level 4 Module Content
Module 1: Leading a Whole-Setting Approach
Develop a shared vision for outdoor play that is understood by practitioners, leaders and families.
Module 2: Reviewing Your Current Provision
Learn how to evaluate your outdoor environment, routines, resources and adult practice.
Module 3: Supporting and Developing Staff
Explore ways to build staff confidence through modelling, coaching, reflection and practical professional development.
Module 4: Creating an Outdoor Play Action Plan
Identify realistic priorities and create a manageable improvement plan for your setting.
Module 5: Working with Parents and Families
Learn how to communicate the benefits of outdoor play and encourage families to support outdoor experiences at home.
Module 6: Sustaining High-Quality Practice
Explore how to monitor progress, celebrate improvements and embed outdoor play into your setting’s long-term development.
Who Is This Course For?
Nursery practitioners
Early Years teachers
Teaching assistants
Childminders
Preschool teams
Room leaders
Early Years leaders
Nursery managers
SEND practitioners
Outdoor learning leaders
Wraparound and holiday club staff
Anyone responsible for developing outdoor play in an Early Years setting
What Will You Learn?
By the end of Levels 1–4, you will be able to:
Understand the developmental benefits of outdoor play
Create engaging and enabling outdoor environments
Use simple resources to support open-ended play
Connect outdoor play with the EYFS areas of learning
Support communication, physical development and emotional wellbeing
Plan from children’s interests and observations
Provide appropriate risk and challenge
Develop more inclusive outdoor experiences
Support staff confidence and consistency
Lead sustainable improvements across your setting
Transform Outdoor Play in Your Early Years Setting
High-quality outdoor play does not require a perfect space, expensive equipment or complicated planning.
This course will help you make purposeful use of the space, resources and opportunities already available to you.
Progress through Levels 1–4 to build your confidence, improve children’s experiences and create an outdoor play approach that becomes a meaningful part of everyday Early Years practice.
