Discussion Topic - Moving to an Indoor/Outdoor Program - An inclusive Approach by Nabiac Preschool

Indoor/Outdoor Program

Nabiac_Preschool — 2024-05-08 04:47:01 UTC

Thoughts of moving to an indoor/outdoor program?

The indoor/outdoor flexibility would occur between the times 10am to 12.30pm. It would be an invitation for all Wild Figs to choose where they want to play. No Busy Bees inside as the activities set up could pose danger to the younger friends, this would also impact our staff to child ratio.

Please add your pros and cons to this thread

Nabiac_Preschool — 2024-05-08 04:47:32 UTC

Karen

Staffing

Nabiac_Preschool — 2024-05-08 05:14:31 UTC

Educator down and no relief staff - how do we effectively supervise both indoor and outdoor environments.

Karen

trezisekellie — 2024-05-08 05:52:03 UTC

Inclusive practices, listening to the children - being in the moment.

Kellie

Free Indoor/Outdoor Program

katesarah — 2024-05-16 06:02:53 UTC

Pros-
Allowing children who are playing together in the different age groups in the wild figs- ie: Cody and Wilfie, Arlo and Tommy, to remain together and not be separated. I have noticed Cody in particular has been quite emotional now that he is in the younger group, constantly asking for Wilfie or mum and dad. When Cody is reunited with Wilfie, he is back to his usual self.

Empowering the children to have control over their own autonomy, to have the choice to take themselves outside when they’re feeling energetic or just need some fresh air, or come inside when they’re feeling like some quiet time or some relaxation.

Easier days for the neurodivergent children by allowing them freedom of choice in where they would like to play.

Cons-
Staff ratio: Accidents, toileting or injury. If there is only one educator outside or inside, and there is an accident, you may need to call another educator to assist. This may mean bring all the children in or out so you can assist if there is only that educator available.

Pressure on staff with neurodivergent children. What if we have 4 neurodivergent children in the Wild Figs, and all 4 want to be inside/outside? Will this put too much pressure on 1 staff member?

Water play; how can we have water play outside and safely monitor it with only one staff? Same goes for risky play.

Preparation for school transitions; how do we assist the school with preparing the children for school routines, will the children think they can stay outside after recess/lunch because they can choose that at preschool?

Georgie11 — 2024-05-17 06:44:38 UTC

Cons

Tracking routines such as toileting, sunscreen and etc
Having casual staff unsure where to be and if the casual staff is main staff member outside would be tricky with settling the children.

Pro

Giving educators breaks from challenging children and sharing the load
Having flexibility with casual staff if it’s a challenging.

Pro’s and Con’s Indoor/Outdoor.

Nabiac_Preschool — 2024-05-20 04:52:14 UTC

Trish

pro’s-

Gives opportunity for children to have choices to play with their friends without being interrupted by splitting group. Eg. Arlo wants to come in with friends he was playing with who is not in his group, making him sad, and staff having to battle a compromise with him. This goes for any children.

This opportunity of free play for children gives them the autonomy to think for themselves and allows them choices which is important for their cognitive skills not for now but for their future.

Con’s-

My only concern is that how long will this change stay for.

I feel it is unsettling for Arlo if we keep changing his routines as I can see such improvements in him now as we work with The tools we’ve already implemented.

When does the trials end. We’ve tried many things with him . Is it going to be that this keeps changing as each day is a different day.

I’m flexible to go in or outside if need.

Nabiac_Preschool — 2024-05-21 00:29:18 UTC

Zones and hot spots for supervision - Educators knowing where they need to be for effective supervision - i.e. supervision plan. one educator outside - less flexibility such as playing lower end of the playground or top half of playground.

Zones for loud play, louder play, quiet play, resting

Nabiac_Preschool — 2024-05-21 00:39:25 UTC

Roz - KU - Cultural responsiveness EYLF practices

Wormi land - importance of indigenous perspectives around the outdoors

majaross92 — 2024-05-21 04:54:20 UTC

Pros
- Children could be more relaxed/comfortable as they won’t be separated as often
- less stress for staff as they don’t have to transition or deny children to stay outside or inside

Cons
- Will this disrupt group times and intentional teaching routines for children?
- Will this make Arlo less likely to accept boundaries during other parts of the day/routine?
- Will this make it harder for him to acclimate to school structure.

Nabiac_Preschool — 2024-05-27 04:51:40 UTC

lynnepaff22 — 2024-05-27 11:12:23 UTC

Pros
Positive health benefits example fresh air Possibly healthier and happier children. Positive well being.

Sustained play opportunities. Uninterrupted play time with preferred peers.

Strong connections between child to child Especially for those children who were separated example while big older and younger ones.

Physical development will be enhanced by the opportunity to rehearse and practices skills and coordination.

Children will have a Sense of agency they will have the opportunity to choose where they will play. Therefore enhancing their well-being.

Less pressure on the children who are Neuro diverse reduce anxiety on those children and on educations as well.

Learning opportunities are Endless with the outdoor environment children can explore, develop, practice, imagine, create and be connected to the environment. Example. Community (as people park in the car park) see the dogs and trainers in the park opposite preschool) the enviro E station all provide opportunities to discuss and learn.

Exploring and discovering nature for example insects, fauna and flora.

I feel this will allow time for projects now.

Cons
Possibly harder to monitor staff to child ratio

We will need to monitor safety, especially in the summer. With possible over heating, monitoring hydration reapplying sun
block at what time etc

How will the parents feel about this, with less structure will the parents feel instead it’s Preschool is just Play School. If so we can communicate the benefits of outdoor play. With that said will it reduce rituals, like, group times and will this have an effect on the children’s attention span etc.

Will it make it harder for the neuro diverse children for when they do have to come inside for some downtime or less UV Ray time.

When we had indoor outdoor before there was mostly the same educator with the children inside each day. And Busy Bees came in or wanted to join in and they were denied due to chocking hazards. Some Busy Bees were allowed in and others weren’t.

Nabiac_Preschool — 2024-05-29 03:51:36 UTC

Consideration of theoretical documentation in formulating values and opinions regarding this transition decision

Look at ~ first three dot points ~ “In relation to children I will”

Nabiac_Preschool — 2024-05-31 00:37:54 UTC

Kellie asked the children about their preferences on having flexibility around the morning routine.
The Thursday children favoured the indoor/outdoor approach with a tally of 12 in favour and two opposed.

Nabiac_Preschool — 2024-06-28 00:19:21 UTC

Nabiac_Preschool — 2024-06-28 00:20:26 UTC

trezisekellie — 2025-07-22 10:37:46 UTC

trezisekellie — 2025-07-22 10:38:49 UTC