IMPACT OF SPACE REQUIREMENTS ON OUTDOOR PLAY AREAS IN PUBLIC KINDERGARTENS

Abstract

Many children spend a great deal of time at their kindergarten. Numerous
studies have indicated the importance of relevant outdoor play
space in promoting childrens physical and cognitive learning. In Norway,
few studies on the physical aspects of child care settings have
been performed, especially concerning research assessing in what way
regulations stipulating outdoor space requirements protect play areas
for children. The present study investigates the situation in 2010 regarding
space in outdoor play areas in public kindergartens in relation to
changes in legislation affecting space requirements. The hypothesis is
that changing norms have led to decreasing play area size. The chosen
study area was the city of Oslo, the capital of Norway, and the selected
material included all public kindergarten premises offering a full-day
service. The physical situation registered at each premise was analysed
in relation to findings from a document review, to understand previous
and current space requirements regarding outdoor play areas. The conclusion
is that all legislative changes regarding space requirements in
outdoor play areas for kindergartens have consequently led to less play
space per child, as well as reduced protection of the outdoor play area.