Outdoors Thinking Scotland

🌟 Learning through Landscapes LtL Local Nature Grants 🌟 are open for schools and nursery settings - a chance to get £500 worth of outdoor equipment including some lovely Muddy Faces resources! Read more here https://muddyfaces.co.uk/news/ltl-local-school-nature-grants-are-back-for-2026

This conference looks incredible, you can watch lots of fantastic speakers on demand.

Our own Dawn Ewan was delighted to be invited to record a presentation for the conference. You can watch her talk about all things mud and water play, two ingredients we explore in depth together in our training.

Follow the link in the original post to book your tickets now - you can watch any and all of the pm demand sessions until 31st December!!!

Our virtual conference is for everyone!
🟣Early childhood educators
🟢School counselors and psychologists
🟣Play therapists and advocates
🟢Program leaders and trainers
🟣Play experts
Content focuses on real classroom and community use – and you will walk away with a number of hands on strategies to support your work.

Sign up today: https://2026ipausaonlineandondemand.sched.com/about

Are you making time for unstructured time?

It may seem odd to plan for unplanned time, but we sometimes need to admit that calendars suck us into the vortex of schedules and structured activities.

We need to make space for lollygagging and free play.

Let's make time for "self-education through play"!

Lovely photo of Jan receiving her award. Check out our Outdoors Thinking website to find out more about our passion for supporting outdoor play and learning.

Are you thinking about enrolling on our full course?

Or maybe you're looking for some good quality outdoor play CPD?

Dawn is running TWO workshops this Saturday, where you can explore the magic of outdoor water play - even in winter - and winter play outdoors.

Sign up for both workshops for only £25 each or one workshop for £30, booking link below.

Saturday 4th October
9.30 - 3.30
AbSafe Aberdeen

https://dashboard.beyonk.com/experiences

Huge Congratulations to Jan White on winning the Nursery World Trainer of the Year Award!

🌿 Certificate in Outdoor Practice (Level 3) – Aberdeen 🌿

12 training days over 12 months | Starts Saturday 4 October 2025 | AbSafe, Aberdeen

✨ A nationally recognised qualification for practitioners working with children aged 2–8 years.
Deepen your skills, strengthen your practice, and transform outdoor provision in your setting.

🌱 Why Commit to This Training?

👶 Child Development Focus – Deepen your understanding of child development & wellbeing through outdoor, experiential learning.

💪 Confidence & Competence – Grow your confidence in using your outdoor spaces every day.

🌳 Rich Outdoor Experiences – Learn to design and provide meaningful experiences that reflect how children learn best.

🏫 On-Site Application – Apply theory directly into practice with time to embed learning in your own setting.

📚 Policy Alignment – Strengthen your provision in line with Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC, Realising the Ambition & UNCRC.

🎓 Professional Recognition – Gain a Level 3 Certificate that enhances your career & opens CPD pathways.

🪴 Lasting Impact – Improvements benefit not just children but your whole setting.

🤝 Peer Community – Learn and grow alongside a supportive network of practitioners.

🗣️ Advocacy Skills – Be empowered to explain the value of outdoor learning to parents, colleagues & leaders.

☔ All-Year Provision – Develop strategies to sustain outdoor learning in all seasons.

📅 Course Details

Duration: 12 training days across 12 months

Start Date: Saturday 4 October 2025

Location: AbSafe, Aberdeen

👉 Ready to Grow Your Practice?

🔗 Book Your Place Now https://outdoorsthinking.co.uk/.../certificate-in-outdoor...

(Limited places available – secure your spot today!)
Enquire about payment options such as paying in instalments and whole setting discounts.

🌿 Certificate in Outdoor Practice (Level 3) – Aberdeen 🌿

12 training days over 12 months | Starts Saturday 4 October 2025 | AbSafe, Aberdeen

✨ A nationally recognised qualification for practitioners working with children aged 2–8 years.
Deepen your skills, strengthen your practice, and transform outdoor provision in your setting.

🌱 Why Commit to This Training?

👶 Child Development Focus – Deepen your understanding of child development & wellbeing through outdoor, experiential learning.

💪 Confidence & Competence – Grow your confidence in using your outdoor spaces every day.

🌳 Rich Outdoor Experiences – Learn to design and provide meaningful experiences that reflect how children learn best.

🏫 On-Site Application – Apply theory directly into practice with time to embed learning in your own setting.

📚 Policy Alignment – Strengthen your provision in line with Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC, Realising the Ambition & UNCRC.

🎓 Professional Recognition – Gain a Level 3 Certificate that enhances your career & opens CPD pathways.

🪴 Lasting Impact – Improvements benefit not just children but your whole setting.

🤝 Peer Community – Learn and grow alongside a supportive network of practitioners.

🗣️ Advocacy Skills – Be empowered to explain the value of outdoor learning to parents, colleagues & leaders.

☔ All-Year Provision – Develop strategies to sustain outdoor learning in all seasons.

📅 Course Details

Duration: 12 training days across 12 months

Start Date: Saturday 4 October 2025

Location: AbSafe, Aberdeen

👉 Ready to Grow Your Practice?

🔗 Book Your Place Now https://outdoorsthinking.co.uk/course/certificate-in-outdoor-practice-level-3-ab02

(Limited places available – secure your spot today!)
Enquire about payment options such as paying in instalments and whole setting discounts.

Outdoors Thinking Scotland
🌿 Certificate in Outdoor Practice (Level 3) – Aberdeen 🌿
Are you ready to take your outdoor practice to the next level?
Join us in Aberdeen for a 12-month professional learning journey designed for practitioners working with children aged 2–8 years.
📅 Starts Saturday 4 October 2025
📍 AbSafe, Aberdeen
🧾 12 training days across 12 months
This nationally recognised Certificate in Outdoor Practice (Level 3) focuses on the everyday outdoor provision you make in your setting, supporting children from pre-Early to First Level of Curriculum for Excellence.
✨ With a strong emphasis on early childhood pedagogy, this course builds on your initial training, deepening your understanding of:
🌱 Child development outdoors
🌱 Nurturing wellbeing, learning and resilience
🌱 Creating meaningful daily outdoor experiences for all children
The course is designed to complement Curriculum for Excellence, Realising the Ambition, GIRFEC, and the UNCRC, giving you the confidence and skills to embed outdoor learning at the heart of your practice.
🎓 Gain a Certificate in Outdoor Practice (Level 3) while transforming how you support children’s development through nature, nurture, and play.
👉 Places are limited – book now!
🔗 https://outdoorsthinking.co.uk/course/certificate-in-outdoor-practice-level-3-ab02

Loose parts like tires = big developmental gains. ✨

Rolling, pushing, lifting – it’s not just play, it’s serious skill-building in motion.

- Balance? Check.
- Body awareness? Yup.
- Creative, independent, imaginative play? Absolutely.

Let kids move heavy stuff – their brains (and bodies) will thank you!

(Image via TimberNook South Central MT )