More youngsters to have nursery outside during renovations

EDUCATION: Local authority first in Scotland to act on government advice

More young children will attend nursery outdoors as councils adapt buildings ahead of a nationwide increase in classes for three and four-year-olds.

Scottish Government officials are promoting outdoor learning, delivered outside and in wooden shelters, to local authorities who may have to close buildings for works ahead of extra hours beginning in August.

Cash-strapped Angus Council has become one of the first in Scotland to act on the advice, choosing to educate four-year-olds in the village of Letham outdoors for five months while builders work on the primary school.

Most parents in the village are said to be supportive of the move, but others have highlighted concerns including safety, additional costs for clothing and health and wellbeing.

Victoria Smith, an Angus Council service leader for early years, said they had looked at a range of other options for the Letham youngsters, “none of which offered as rich learning experiences for the children”.

She stressed that no parent in Letham would be disadvantaged with costs for additional clothing, that the school’s gym hall would be available for children during extreme weather, and that the staff-pupil ratio would protect health and safety.

The outdoor learning facilities, including a fire pit, would remain in place to support further classes after the renovations were complete, she added.

The Scottish Government is almost doubling the free childcare hours for three and four-year-olds from 600 to 1,140 from August.

Angus Council is transforming the former Forfar Academy and Pitskelly Park in Carnoustie into specialist centres. It is also using private providers.

Fife is also using a mixture of techniques to meet the childcare targets that will also include private providers and outdoor nurseries.

Children and learning convener Derek Wann said the council has had to take an “innovative approach”.

“It has been a challenge but we have had to look outside the box to find solutions. I think this is a great opportunity to give it a go,” he said.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman would not confirm whether outdoor education had specifically been promoted to local authorities in a position of having to decant their pupils due to building works.

“It has been a challenge but we have had to look outside the box to find solutions. I think this is a great opportunity to give it a go.

CHILDREN AND LEARNING CONVENER DEREK WANN