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Grounds for Learning advocates a truly holistic, participative and sustainable approach to outdoor play. Outdoor areas are about improving opportunities and choice; places where all children can participate fully as equal citizens.
Early years practitioners are no strangers to providing for a wide range of needs. ‘Enabling’ is probably the most key word in outdoor provision for early years and choices come from really knowing your space, your resources, your children and your staff.
Respect for individuals and the way their needs are met is intrinsic to outdoor play. The joys of the outside world are not to be hurried, and outdoors, children with special needs can explore and enjoy and discover at their own pace. Their needs can be met and their expectations exceeded with access to a rich outdoor area full of irresistible stimuli and contexts for play. Exploration and communication, contact with the natural world and with the community are achievable goals.
Outdoor learning has to be available to the children in a way they can access and by keeping in mind what they would like to be able to do, the outdoors can become a creative place for adventure with different ways of meeting children’s needs that will inspire and motivate.
With appropriate clothing, equipment, staff and shelter from the elements, all children can experience the changing seasons, expand their understanding of their world and enjoy it to the full whatever the weather and whatever their needs. | 
