Lockdown has highlighted the benefits of getting outdoors

What are the problems, levels of anxieties, health and safety issues, business risks and leadership approach? Throughout, I have responded with positivity and hope. If you lead an organisation that is all about children, we need to be optimistic and brave. Their future pathways are being laid by us, physically, cognitively and psychologically and so need to be solid and robust so they can march forward with confidence and cheerfulness. Their pathways cannot be full of weeds and cracks grown from our modern obsessions and insecurities.

I have been very interested in the emergence of the Covid-19 pedagogy. I have noted and repeatedly commented about the benefits of the smaller ratios between adults and children, the sense of calm as smaller groups gave staff and children time to wallow in their self-directed play, the long and enjoyable conversations and the joy of family groups which has boosted the children’s confidence and ability to build friendships.