Learning On Your Doorstep

What an adventure this book is, an inspiring resource that expands our understanding of outdoor play and outings. With beautiful visuals, practical ideas and pedagogical insights, it captures the awe and wonder that exists on our very doorstep. – Kerry Murphy * Early Childhood Lecturer and Author *This book will give you inspiration and confidence about how to enrich children’s learning through the myriad of opportunities on your doorstep. A must-read for all early years practitioners. – Beatrice Merrick * Chief Executive, Early Education *A practical and inspiring guide that highlights the many benefits of taking children on outings, with real-life examples, clear suggestions of where to go, and invaluable guidance on risk assessments. – Sarah Dixon-Jones * Headteacher of Houghton Community Nursery and Mill Hill Nursery School *This accessible book provides lots of practical ideas and helpful guidance to get out and about. It will support you to plan safe, enjoyable outings, and enrich children’s learning along the way. – Anni McTavish * Early years creative arts specialist @annimctart *

As a child psychologist, I wholeheartedly endorse Learning on Your Doorstep for its refreshing, practical, and deeply important message: young children do not need extravagant outings to benefit from rich learning experiences. This book beautifully illustrates how everyday adventures - visiting a post box, watching a digger, or simply walking past a row of houses, can ignite curiosity, language development, and a deeper understanding of the world.For many children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, access to these kinds of real-world experiences is far from guaranteed. That’s why it is so vital for early years settings to actively provide them. By making the ordinary extraordinary, educators can help bridge the gap in children’s experiences and ensure all children develop the foundational knowledge and confidence they need.Learning on Your Doorstep also emphasises something we know from developmental psychology to be crucial: repetition. Children thrive on repeated experiences. It is through doing things again and again - walking the same route, revisiting the same landmarks, hearing the same vocabulary - that children build familiarity, security, and meaning.This book is a must-read for early years practitioners who want to make the most of the opportunities just outside their door. It is a powerful reminder that with a curious mindset and a little planning, the local environment can become a rich and inclusive classroom for every child.

Caroline Eaton has had a career in Early Years education which has spanned over 20 years. She has worked in a wide range of roles including class teaching, bilingual support, parent partnership and consultancy. She is currently an independent consultant.

Leslie Patterson has over 30 years of teaching experience in primary, infant and nursery schools. Over 10 years of this was as a headteacher of a maintained nursery school which she led to Outstanding by focusing on improving teaching and learning. She now works as an independent consultant and as an associate consultant for Early Education, specialising in Early Years.

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