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DEAR PARENTS AND STAFF

The NEW Outdoor Classroom & Play Space Project(s) is a critical quality improvement initiative that not only improves the quality of outdoor environments and programs but the entire functioning of our child care centres. We are very excited to announce new outdoor play space transition projects currently taking place at two of our Sundowners locations – General Brock and Talbot Trail. The project is part of the transition and stabilization initiative resulting from the impact and implementation of full day kindergarten, focusing on transforming programs and play spaces for the younger age children, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

We are working with Halford Playground Solutions Company to develop, design and transform the outdoor play space to bring fun and exciting elements of outdoor play and learning to the centres. The new features include an open play space, music and movement area, climbing and crawling area, building space, nature and art/painting area, sensory gardens, discovery paths, a gathering and stage/drama area, water and sand area, quiet reading nook and riding path.

In line with our emergent curriculum approach, a much more flexible activity and action schedule will be developed and new advantages in utilizing the outside will be discovered. Young children need time outdoors every day, and great natural play spaces in which to learn, explore and discover. In fact, the outdoors can be a very rich, stimulating learning environment for children. The outdoor classroom is intended to create an enriched environment that is developmentally appropriate and promotes children’s exploration and learning through play, and consistent with the principles and goals set out in “How Does Learning Happen?” Expectations for early learning programs for children are organized around the four foundations of belonging, well-being, engagement and expressions. The goals for children provide a basis for thinking about and creating the kinds of environments that are meaningful for them.

The role of the teacher in the outdoor classroom and the strategies that support child-initiated learning play a leading role in how children engage with materials as well as with one another and is a major factor in skill development.

The Outdoor Classroom and Play Spaces at both the General Brock and Talbot Trail locations are dedicated to increasing the quality and benefits of outdoor experiences for children in the early learning and child care programs at Sundowners. We believe that connecting children to the environment teaches children compassion and respect for the environment and for each other. Outdoor learning centres such as the mud kitchen, gardens and water exploration area all provide children with the chance to experience natural elements of our environment within a context with which they are familiar. Think back to where and when you played as a child. Many of us spent our free time outside! The outdoor classroom is a way of taking advantage of the outdoors and providing meaningful experiences and activities centered on natural materials, outdoor spaces and the environment.

We are delighted and excited to tell you that the new outdoor classroom and play space at Sundowners General Brock location is nearing completion and the new outdoor classroom and play space at Sundowners Talbot Trail is scheduled to begin at the end of July 2015.