What is Step Outdoors?
Step Outdoors is a free early years programme that uses nature-based play to support children before they start school. Developed in collaboration with early years professionals, parents and carers, the programme is designed to boost:
- Communication and language
- Personal, social, and emotional development
- Physical skills
Step Outdoors gives opportunities for young children to build independence, confidence, problem-solving abilities and healthy, active habits — all while having fun and enjoying the outdoors.
Stay and play
We provide free ‘stay and play’ sessions for children and their families to attend together, giving space and time for them to play outside together, supporting bonding, learning and development.
These sessions give parents and carers the opportunity to:
- Play and interact with their child
- Gain ideas and confidence of simple activities to replicate outside of sessions
- Meet other local parents, carers and families
- Use local green spaces or school site
Myself and my child have enjoyed every session we’ve attended. The staff are warm and welcoming and offer information on fun, engaging activities to use both in the sessions and beyond.
Supporting school readiness
When delivered in collaboration with early years settings or schools, Step Outdoors provides a two-pronged approach to supporting school readiness.
- Joint sessions: staff attend stay and play sessions with children and families, deepening home-school connections.
- Training for staff: a practical training session to help staff embed outdoor, active, child-led play into their everyday practice.
Parents, carers and staff receive a booklet of easy, low-cost ideas for outdoor activities using natural or household items.
Youth voice
We always listen to the children taking part, and their feedback is clear. Children tell us they love:
- Getting to spend time with their parents, carers and friends
- Different activities such as making potions and spotting wildlife
- Exploring the outdoors
She must be enjoying herself, she’s talking so much to the other children and adults – she doesn’t normally do that
More information
We’ve delivered this programme thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and North East Combined Authority.
Contact details
For more information or to find out how you can get involved, please contact Dani Crispin Cook, Early Years Development Manager.
Find out about our other work with children and young people.