In a world in which we are preparing our youngsters for jobs, it is imperative to fuel children’s curiosity and appetite for learning. This love of learning, along with the skills to communicate, problem-solve, and self-regulate, will lead to life-long success no matter the profession. Some might say that learning these skills will only happen behind a desk in a typical classroom, but educational research  tells us that children who spend time in well-designed, nature-filled outdoor classrooms develop skills across all learning domains.

This finding is based on over a decade of  research. It also adds to the growing body of evidence that substantiates that, for young children, play is learning, and intentionally designed outdoor spaces provide powerful contexts for children’s growth and development. What makes an outdoor classroom different than the traditional classroom? For one thing, the availability of nature’s loose parts.

This is why, at Claylands Nursery, we keep a large stock of loose items in the garden such as planks, logs, crates, steering wheels, cones and other loose items which enable the children to play in an imaginative and open ended way.

Nursery Management has become a discipline in its own right, and our Claylands Nursery Manager is qualified not just to degree level, she has also gained the Post Degree Diploma in childhood practice from Glasgow University. She is one of only a very few people in Scotland to have already qualified at this level. You may be interested to see the contents of the course below.

Childhood Practice MEd/PgDip

This programme is designed for current and aspiring leaders and managers in childhood practice who have, or are willing, to undertake a practitioner qualification. It provides a practice-based examination of the theoretical approaches important to leadership and management within childhood practice.

Why this programme

• On successful completion of the programme you will meet the requirements of the Standard for Childhood Practice (Scottish Social Services Council, 2007).

• On successful completion of the diploma you will be given the opportunity to progress to masters and undertake the dissertation element.

• You will gain experience of relevant theoretical approaches which will develop an understanding of the leadership and management in childhood practice.
• The programme will also develop research, writing and professional skills which will enable practitioners to register with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) at a manager level.
• You will review your own work experiences and use the findings to set your professional development targets within the programme.

Programme structure

You will take six core courses. Courses will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and group project work.

Core courses

• Childhood practice: building a professional learning community
• Contemporary perspectives on children and childhoods
• Leading improvements in childhood practice
• Practice placement A
• Practice placement B
• Practitioner enquiry and decision making.

Making the most of water play “Water is one of the basic raw materials for purposeful play. Just like sand, clay and blocks, children can use water without being constrained by the one right way to use it,” writes Sandra Crosser, Ph.D. “Water is intriguing. It seems to draw children to explore its structure and properties. Because water is naturally fascinating, the thoughtful teacher can structure the environment and materials in the water centre to make the most of water play.”