At Dale Hall, we are lucky enough to have many outdoor learning spaces for the children to access throughout their time with us. Over the last few years we have been developing our site further and investigating exciting resources for the children to use. In EYFS the children have their own outdoor area to explore which is going to be developed further in Summer 2026. We try to use as many natural materials as possible to support their play and exploration. Year 1 and 2 children also have their own outdoor learning area as an extension of their classroom. 

In KS2 we have two areas. Forest school inclusion and our main forest area which has growing spaces, a newly developed pond area, cooking and fire pit zone and places to climb, play and explore. 

The importance of play for children's healthy development is grounded in a strong body of research. As a natural and compelling activity, play promotes cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being, offering the necessary conditions for children to thrive and learn. Through play, the child can experiment, solve problems, think creatively, cooperate with others, etc., gaining a deeper knowledge about his/herself and the world. From an early age, the possibility to experience several opportunities for unstructured play, in which the child can decide what to do, with whom and how, promotes positive self-esteem, autonomy, and confidence.