Nursery group calls for two hours mandatory outdoor play per day

A London-based nursery group is calling for all nursery children to play outside for a minimum two hours per day, warning many children aren't getting enough vitamin D.

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An increasing amount of children only have experience of nature via the ‘nursery garden’ according to The London Early Years Foundation (LEYF).

As a result, the nursery group has introduced outdoor sessions for a minimum of two hours in their settings to utilize the outdoors for learning (whilst using safe sun exposure). This forms part of their curriculum-based pedagogy, whatever the weather.

June O’Sullivan, chief executive of LEYF said: “It’s a fact that children play differently outside as their senses are heightened and their learning enriched. It’s therefore imperative that all children are encouraged to get outdoors each day and access nature whilst giving their vitamin D levels a much-needed boost.

“This is especially important for children with dark skin from African, Afro-Caribbean and South Asian families/communities who may not be getting enough vitamin D.”

Children in the London area particularly lack access to green spaces.

Ms O’Sullivan said: “In London, 26 per cent of new houses don’t have a garden and therefore for small children the nursery garden becomes an essential alternative.”

The group also believes participation in gardening promotes healthier food choices in children. By knowing about and taking an interest in where their food comes from, children are more likely to eat more fruit and vegetables.

So as part of the initiative, children across the group’s 37 nurseries will be encouraged to take ownership of planting and creating window boxes, attending to allotments and heightening their senses with earth and mud play.

Award-winning garden designer Stephen Woodhams is one of the youngest gardeners ever to win a Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show. He said: “Creating gardening spaces is a great way to foster a fun connection with the natural world.

“Whether it’s growing plants, fruit or vegetables – horticulture should be part of every child’s learning as it’s educational, therapeutic, nurturing and allows you to do things in your own creative way. What’s not to like about transforming something lovely from just a tiny seed?"

click here for more details or to contact The London Early Years Foundation (LEYF)