Outdoor Book & Listening Area

An effective ‘Outdoor Book Area’ would include many features. This should:

• Be positioned in a comfortable, cosy and secure area. This could be covered and like a den. Positioned in an area that does not get too warm in the summer months
• Contain a wide range of reading materials which would include books the children have made or books from home
• Store books in a way that makes children see the covers of books and want to open them
• Include, where possible, a listening centre
• Be enhanced with provision such as small world objects, cuddly toys or a story tray/ bag
• Include books which reflect images of people from different cultures, genders and with a range of disabilities
• Be enhanced according to children’s interests, possible themes and previous observations
• Be arranged so that some of the books are contained in different learning zones. For example, books linked to sand near the sand tray and books linked to trains in the train box.

Use of Crates Wragby Pre-School	Effective Use of Outdoor Spaces to Provide Circle Time Opportunities Mon Ami Children's Day Nursery, Alford
Incorporating Role-Play and Reading - Nativity St Giles Nursery, Lincoln	A Very Simple, Quiet Place Rainbow Pre-School, Caistor
Encouraging Reading Outside. On a Weekly Basis, Children Select Books for the Book Box St Peter in Eastgate C. of E. Infants' School, Lincoln	A Simple But Effective Book Sharing Area Grasby All Saints C of E Primary School
Story Telling Chair Made from Branches and Logs Tree House Children's Centre, East Kirkby	A Comfy Outdoor Book Sharing Area Seasiders Day Nursery, Skegness