A written policy can show how important Outdoor Play & Learning is to a facility. Written policies help the facility communicate values and expectations clearly with families and staff.
Policy Documentation
In your REACH Outdoor Play & Learning application, you will upload documentation of meeting the policy best practice along with offering time for outdoor play, having a high quality outdoor learning environment, and using the outdoor learning environment to meet learning objectives.
| REACH Application Documentation | Go NAPSACC Best Practice |
| The section of the facility’s family or staff handbook that shows their commitment to outdoor play & learning, by covering each of the following topics: – the facility offers the best practice amount of outdoor time each day for the ages it serves: 3-5 year olds (90+ minutes, half-day: 45+ minutes), 1-2 year olds (60+ minutes, half-day: 30+ minutes ), FCCH/mixed aged classes (60+ minutes, half-day: 30+ minutes) -infants (if served) are taken outside 2 times per day or more for a total of about an hour (half-day: 1 times per day or more, half hour total) -the importance of outdoor play and learning | OP20: There is a written policy on outdoor play and learning that includes a variety of topics related to the amount of outdoor playtime provided and ways to ensure that children can take full advantage of this time. |
Tips for your policy documentation:
- Only one file is needed.
- Make sure the policy includes both a statement about the importance of outdoor play & learning and the amount of time offered to different age groups. Make sure that the policy is in line with the best practice amount of outdoor time each day for the ages it serves: preschoolers (90+ minutes, Half-day: 45+ minutes), toddlers (60+ minutes, Half-day: 30+ minutes ), mixed aged classes (60+ minutes, Half-day: 30+ minutes ), infants are taken outside 2 times per day or more for a total of about an hour (Half-day: 1 times per day ore more, 30 minute total)
- Policy is currently in use and has been reviewed/updated in the past 12 months.
Example documentation:
This policy covers the importance of outdoor play and how much time is offered for different age groups.
An editable Outdoor Play & Learning policy template can be found in the Go NAPSACC Tips & Materials Library. Just log in, look in Tips & Materials in the Outdoor Play & Learning module, select the Policy category, and look for “Sample Physical Activity and Outdoor Play policy text”. Facilities should edit this policy to explain why Outdoor Play and Learning is important to them.
REACH Recognition 
2 thoughts on “Outdoor Play & Learning Policy”