Table 3 Reported Practices Regarding Outdoor Learning Environments in Participating Texas Child Care Centersa
% | (n) | |
Outdoor active free play is provided to all toddlers & preschoolersc | ||
< 1x per wk. | 0.21 | (1) |
4x per wk | 5.47 | (26) |
1x per day | 15.79 | (75) |
≥ 2x per day | 78.53 | (373) |
Outdoor learning environment & activities are linked to enforce learningd | ||
Never | 1.27 | (6) |
Rarely | 6.77 | (32) |
Sometimes | 50.32 | (238) |
Often | 41.65 | (197) |
Best Practice Indicators for a Model Outdoor Learning Environmentbe | ||
Total indictors reported (M, SD) | 5.74 | (2.55) |
Indicator Reported | ||
Yes | ||
% | (n) | |
PA is supported by OLE (running, jumping on/off, crawling through, rolling, swinging, throwing, balancing, climbing) | 87.27 | (418) |
Open, grassy area for games & events | 74.11 | (355) |
Wheeled toys, portable play equipment, & play materials available | 73.70 | (353) |
Natural, loose materials (leaves, sticks, gravel, seeds) available for play | 69.52 | (333) |
Sufficient man-made shade structures | 66.81 | (320) |
Trees provide cover for about 1/3rd of outdoor area | 51.15 | (245) |
Looping, curvy primary pathways for circulation and wheeled toys | 41.34 | (198) |
≥ 10 outdoor play & learning settings for activities | 38.00 | (182) |
Outdoor classroom/program base/storage available for tools, equipment & materials for outdoor learning | 37.79 | (181) |
Designated vegetable garden | 17.54 | (84) |
Shrubs (3 for every 100 sq. ft), including ≥1/4 fruiting shrubs & vines | 8.98 | (43) |
≥ 1/4 of trees are edible fruit or nut species | 7.52 | (36) |