Welcome to Outdoor Matters!

The Early Years Training and Consultancy service provided by Gail Ryder Richardson.

 

Gail Ryder Richardson

Gail has worked in the Early Years sector for over 25 years. She has a professional interest and personal enthusiasm for using the outdoor environment to support children’s learning and development.

Gail Ryder Richardson

Gail has worked

in schools and settings and she understands the challenges that practitioners in schools and settings have to overcome in order to create an enabling outdoor environment that is used effectively to support children’s learning and development.

Gail has also had a wide range of other professional roles, including advice and support, education inspections and quality assurance. Gail provided early years expertise to the development of the materials for the Learning Outside the Classroom website.   She has recently been awarded a Masters in Early Childhood Education from the University of Sheffield.

Gail’s work with Learning through Landscapes

From 2003 -2007 Gail worked for Learning through Landscapes (LTL)  an educational charity that promotes the value and importance of the outdoor environment for children’s play, learning and development.  Gail has written a book Creating A Space to Grow that publicises the process and outcomes of an LTL project she delivered in Kent, and includes a wealth of information and advice to practitioners wishing to develop their own outdoor space.

In her role with Learning through Landscapes Gail was a member of the partnership of early years organisations and individuals that created the Early Years Vision and Values for Outdoor Play(pdf) She also contributed to the development of the Enabling Environment materials  Effective Practice: Outdoor Learning (pdf) within the Early Years Foundation Stage and wrote several articles on outdoor play for Nursery World magazine.

Gail’s work with The National Strategies

From 2008 -2011 Gail worked for The National Strategies to support and challenge Local Authorities across the South East to improve educational outcomes for children under five years old.  This role encompassed all aspects of early years practice and Gail worked as the link Early Years Regional Adviser for five Local Authorities; Medway, Portsmouth, Slough, Surrey, and Windsor & Maidenhead.

Gail’s work as a Trainer and Consultant

Gail continues to work with Local Authorities, schools and settings to promote the message that Outdoor Matters, through projects, training, conferences, written materials and advisory visits.

Gail’s Professional Networks

Gail is a member of Learning through Landscapes‘ quality assured and accredited network of grounds professionals.

Gail is also a member of the Linden Learning Network, a group of highly experienced and respected education professionals. The Linden Learning Network  is a not-for-profit organisation of like minded consultants who wish to retain their independence whilst working together to ensure continued professional excellence and in-depth understanding of the children’s services market. For more information visit www.lindenlearning.org