ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses a context of a general angst around the lack of outdoor play, but focuses on outdoor play spaces attached to children's centres, nurseries and other early childhood facilities. It explains designing outdoor play spaces those children enjoys and that be effective in fostering discovery, exploration and an expansion of knowledge to support their development and education. The combination of safety concerns and increasing constraints on spatial provision has markedly constrained the diversity of play opportunities being provided in outdoor play spaces, with consequences including less focused and more antisocial play. The book focuses on designing the outdoor play spaces of children's centres and nursery facilities including those for children with special needs. It assists centre owners and managers, management committees and design professionals who seek to create more wonderful outdoor teaching spaces and offers strategies for how all disciplines.
