Free Range is a referral-based project run by Fife Council’s Practice Development Team, based within Early Years Education. The project takes place within Falkland Estate, Fife, during school holidays periods.
It's an entirely outdoor play experience, for children from pre-school nursery to Primary 5. It's designed to promote children’s health and wellbeing, through outdoor free play in a natural environment.
The woodland environment provides challenge, adventure and fun opportunities for the children to play outdoors. The children will have greater knowledge of the outdoors, become more confident and resilient through gaining new skills and become more physically active.
The project is underpinned by the Playwork Principles and the child’s right to play:
- Article 31 – Children and young people have the right to play, relax and take part in cultural activities. (United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child)
The children attend the project for five days, within an allocated week, during school holidays. They're transported by coach from their local area to the Falkland site each day. Each week sees children attend from a different committee area within Fife.
We also provide snacks and lunch, as well as all waterproof clothing and wellies for the children. The site contains shelter, and a composting toilet.
Children will experience new skills and challenging play opportunities supported by experienced and qualified staff.
There are a variety of different activities the children can be involved in including:
- Cooking on the campfire
- Climbing trees
- Building dens
- Playing on the rope swing
- Making things using tools
- Toasting marshmallows on the campfire
- Playing games in the forest
- Playing with mud and water as well as lots of creative play using their imagination
Children are given the freedom to come up with their own ideas at their own speed and, in turn, develop their creativity and growth.
The nature of the outdoors makes it a more interesting, stimulating place to play, and allows children the sense of fun and freedom whilst promoting their physical, emotional and psychological health.
We recognise that outdoor play in natural spaces is beneficial for children’s development and provides experiences which cannot be replicated indoors. When children have access to natural spaces for play, it fosters a sense of close connection with and respect for, nature. Outdoor free play offers a powerful way of providing some of these enriching outdoor experiences.
Recognition
The project has won the following awards:
- Nancy Ovens Award for Play
- Outstanding Contribution to Play Award - The Best Play Experience for the Free Range project at Falkland Estate
- Bronze COSLA Award
- Fife Council’s Play Development Team for the category - Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health
For further information contact:
Sharon Faulkner, Practice Development Officer
Email: Free.Range@fife.gov.uk