This day course for practitioners, managers and advisors is specifically designed to investigate the risk and safety issues involved in using the outdoor environment with young children – wherever that environment is. The course covers making off-site visits but mainly focuses on the outdoor area available at the institution/setting and the issues facing settings in using their outdoor area whatever the weather, all year round. The course looks at ways of making risk assessments that involve all those using the setting – practitioners, children and parents – in the process; ways of working with parents to allay their fears, safety checks and access will also be covered. The course includes:

• Attitudes to risk
• Making risk-benefit assessments
• Practical activities, group work and problem solving
• Making a play policy that integrates risk management