It's dark, and the rain is lashing down, with muddy streams forming in the nursery garden. Karen O'Connor-Evans, who runs New College Day Nursery in Huddersfield, is surrounded by an excited group of three-year-olds, who are taking turns to roll down the small, grassy hill on one side of the garden. As they roll, they revel in the rain on their faces and screw their faces up as the thick mud squelches between their fingers.
"Again! Again!" they shout with glee.
As it nears home time, O'Connor-Evans leaves another staff member in charge, moving indoors to greet the parents who've come to pick up their muddy children. Having run this outdoor play area since the nursery began seven years ago, she recognises the importance of persuading parents of the benefits of exposing children to the outdoors.
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