Outdoor play and learning

At Ashbrook we value play immensely. Children learn so much through play: They learn to collaborate, negotiate, share, be patient and they develop a deeper understanding of the needs and wishes of others.

OPAL, or Outdoor Play and Learning, is a national initiative that we are committed to at Ashbrook. Online there are many successful case studies where educational settings across the UK have adopted this approach. Your children spend 20% of their school week in our outdoor area. Prior to the OPAL project, children would have playtime on a small play space with a few resources, but since last summer we have expanded the opportunities, using all available space – all year round.

The children have access to sport activities on the main play surface, the mud kitchen, large loose parts on the field and surrounding spaces, creative activities and drawing, small world resources and more. We have four adults supporting during lunchtimes, who are our play worker team, and they support children to develop skills and ideas. Every two to three weeks a play assembly is held where the children ‘celebrate’, ‘inform’, ‘negotiate’ and ‘innovate’.

OPAL is founded on principles of child development. Part of this is our benefit risk assessment where we look at the skills that children need – such as developing gross motor skills. The large loose parts and climbing equipment can be accessed for this.

Have a look at some photos of the engagement from our Ashbrook children.