Outdoor Learning and Forest School in Early Years

Outdoor learning and forest school activities provide rich developmental benefits for young children. The EYFS framework requires all providers to give children access to outdoor space or regular outdoor activities.

However, outdoor learning - particularly forest school - requires additional safety measures, risk assessment, qualifications, and insurance beyond standard childcare provision.

Legal requirements and qualifications

Risk-benefit assessment approach

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) actively encourages outdoor play and risk-benefit assessment rather than eliminating all risk. Children benefit from manageable risks that help them develop confidence, physical skills, and risk awareness.

What is risk-benefit assessment?

Rather than removing all hazards, you assess whether the benefits of an activity outweigh the residual risks after you've put control measures in place.

Example: Climbing trees

• Hazards: Falls, branches breaking, unsuitable trees
• Benefits: Physical development, confidence, risk awareness, problem-solving
• Controls: Staff supervision, tree suitability checks, soft landing area, height limits, teaching safe climbing techniques
• Decision: Benefits outweigh residual risks - activity proceeds with controls in place

Ofsted expects this balanced approach, not the elimination of all challenge from children's play.

Forest school vs outdoor play

It's important to distinguish between general outdoor play and forest school, as they have different requirements:

You can provide outdoor play without forest school qualifications. If you're offering forest school specifically, the Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification is the Forest School Association standard and insurers typically expect it - it is not a legal requirement.

Notifying Ofsted of outdoor provision

If you're using premises not on your Ofsted registration certificate (e.g., regular visits to a woodland site), you must notify Ofsted. They may visit to inspect the outdoor space to ensure it's safe and suitable.

For childminders, occasional trips to local parks don't require notification. However, if you're using a specific woodland site weekly for forest school, this would need to be notified to Ofsted.