An increase in the application of high-quality outdoor practices across the city was desired, consequent to a significant shift in practitioner confidence in both their skills and knowledge. It was hoped that eventually those involved in the project would become outdoor champions, able to share their enthusiasm and skills and knowledge with other practitioners in the city. We needed to develop a sustainable workforce, able and confident in their outdoor practices to progress our work in Aberdeen.
The purpose of the proposed visits to Spain and North Germany was to immerse nursery practitioners in well-established early years outdoor practices in Europe, to help further develop our own provision in Aberdeen in the months following the visits. It was anticipated that immersion in outdoor nursery work would inspire practitioners from Aberdeen and help them build confidence in their ability to deliver ELC outdoor provision. This project was designed to be in line with government strategies to expand outdoor services to children from birth to 5/6 years in Scotland and to develop a better understanding and implementation of outdoor play pedagogies. After several years of training in outdoor practices in Aberdeen there was little to show by way of sustainable outcomes. Immersion and supported training appeared to be a positive way forward in helping to further develop our services in a sustainable and supported way; this initiated our application to ERASMUS+.