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A new nationwide study by Kids Planet reveals a gap between the NHS recommendations for outdoor play and the reality for under-fives in the UK.
24%
Of 0-5 year olds spend time learning outdoors at home each day.
64%
Of parents say spending time outdoors has a positive effect on wellbeing.
41%
Say outdoor learning fosters a stronger family connection.
1 in 6
Parents think their child doesn’t spend enough time outdoors at all.
The survey of nursery school parents investigated how often children are learning from outdoor activities across the country, how it effects their mood, and from which types of activities.
The NHS Recommendation
The NHS recommends that Pre-schoolers should spend at least 180 minutes (three hours) a day doing a variety of physical activities spread throughout the day, including active and outdoor play. The more the better.
Of the parents surveyed, almost two thirds (64%) said spending time outdoors has a positive effect on their children’s wellbeing. This in turn can support their emotional and psychological development.
They also state outdoor activities are important for a child’s development (86%), improve physical health (72%) and foster a connection with nature (70%).
Building Family Connections: 41% said spending time learning outdoors has created a closer family connection. Engaging in outdoor activities as a family creates lasting memories and encourages a shared appreciation for the natural environment.
Enhancing Social Skills: More than half (51%) of parents believe outdoor learning is beneficial for enhancing social skills—a key competency for children entering primary school to help them make friends.
As a leading provider of early years education, Kids Planet understands the importance of outdoor learning and makes it a part of the everyday curriculum.
Rhiannon Mountain, Head of Outdoor Learning at Kids Planet, has brought the Scandinavian outdoor-learning approach of Udeskole to the nursery group. We currently have 26 accredited Udeskole nurseries, with the goal of 60 nurseries embracing this nature-based play by the end of the year.
“There are some easy ways that families can enjoy time outside… something as simple as collecting sticks for craft projects, naming and tracking animals, or counting different coloured flowers.” – Rhiannon Mountain
We are embracing the challenge of getting under-fives outside. Come and see how our nature-based play supports early years development.
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