Research Proposal Form – TEI601 The Independent Researcher - dissertation (10,000 words – 40
credit module)
Type of Research?
Primary data (e.g. interviews, questionnaires, Secondary data (e.g. a desk based study)
observations)
I will be collecting my own data through an
semi structured interview
Topic/Area of Interest?
‘To critically evaluate the benefits and considerations of play for children in reception’
This is a question that I am very passionate about investigating further because I have been a nursery
practitioner myself for five years and would love to find out other people’s experiences as an Early
Years. I am looking to interview one teacher to interview regarding their career role because this gives
myself a greater insight to what is occurring in school’s day to day routine in relation to play and how
the school define play and staff members responsibility and how this has changed with Covid-19.
My three bullet points that I want to do extra research in are
To investigate the benefits and risks associated with outdoor play opportunities
In this section the overall aim is to explore the teachers responsibility in relation outdoor learning. I
want to explore what is statutory in the Early Years Foundation Stage that Early Years Teachers must
provide in relation to play. Then I want to explore what is non-statutory in relation to outdoor learning
to explore advice and how providers can go further to increase children’s learning. Michaela Machan,
who is a Teacher who explores the role of staff in relation to the Early Years and what environments
settings should be providing for children. Next, I would like to explore the advantages of outdoor
learning with reference to Ofsted’s expectations for an Early Years setting outside provision and also
with reference to Emma Homan who works closely with the Early Years Alliance to improve play
opportunities in particular outdoor play. To follow this evaluation there will be a detailed discussion on
Jean-Jacques Rousseau who was an Early Years philosopher who published theories on children playing
outside and how valuable outdoor play is to children. To support this justification and links to relevant
learning theories I will be using the International Electronic Journal of Environmental Education this was
published in 2021 so this considers how the pandemic has increased Early Years Teachers role and
current literature.
Then there will be the things Early Years Teachers should consider in relation to outdoor play
opportunities. Liz Sutton she was an Early Years Teacher who expressed some disadvantages in relation
to outdoor play such as the environment may not be consistent across settings which can also be
applied to indoor settings, children having accidents and outdoor play being riskier for children. A study
, Research Proposal Form – TEI601 The Independent Researcher - dissertation (10,000 words – 40
credit module)
in Norway explored outdoor play to be risky but the authors acknowledge that it benefitted the
children. Other considerations are staffing shortages and equipment and short and long term plans for
Early Years provisions such as planning for outdoor learning, weather conditions and the pedagogical
stance of the school in terms of outdoor play opportunities. Lastly would follow strategies to overcome
these considerations for example recruitment and retainment of teachers, and providing good quality
equipment to support outdoor learning and how this can be achieved and how outdoor learning can be
planned per season so there is structure in children’s learning and being consistent in outdoor play
opportunities such as going outside in rain or snow. Lastly a conclusion to link back to the the question
of critically evaluating the benefits and considerations of outdoor play.
To analyse the indoor play opportunities for reception children
Following the discussion on outdoor play I want to explore the role of an Early Years teacher facilitating
indoor play and the daily responsibilities the teachers must do as well as allowing children to play. Then
will be exploring the legal EYFS requirements to explore what is compulsory for children and then
explore the non-statutory guidance on what advice teachers are being given to promote play
opportunities within the early years. In this section I would be exploring the Intent Implementation and
Impact 2019 Ofsted framework to highlight how Early Years Teachers use to reflect on the benefits of
play opportunities. Then advantages to indoor learning will follow my evaluation with reference to Early
Years Matters and Anna Ephorate who publishes her work on creating enabling environments for
children through indoor learning. Then there will be a discussion on an indoor learning theorist, to
support my evaluation of the Early Years teacher role, I have selected Susan Issacs because she believed
the role of the practitioner was as important as the role of the environment in the development of the
child. Isaacs' said the role of the practitioner was to make the environment comfortable and help the
child feel secure and at ease, to provide them with optimal conditions for them to learn which shows
how crucial it is for Early Years staff and to get this right for children at a young age and highlights
strong play opportunities. Then looking at what Teachers must consider for effective indoor learning for
instance assessment opportunities, staffing shortages , resources and equipment and the classroom
design/layout.
Jamie Hamilton who works in a forest school for reception children in Scotland conducted research on
his children and found that children’s attainment increased when he began and developed the forest
school program because it was improving their engagement, contribution and self-confidence and
Hamilton said it may help close the gap in achievement between children. He believed that all learning
should take place outside based on his research. Then I can explore what can be done to overcome the
considerations as they may not be direct disadvantages but them factors can have an impact. Lastly a
conclusion to link back to the roles and responsibilities of an Early Years teachers and why considering
all factors is essential in their job role.
credit module)
Type of Research?
Primary data (e.g. interviews, questionnaires, Secondary data (e.g. a desk based study)
observations)
I will be collecting my own data through an
semi structured interview
Topic/Area of Interest?
‘To critically evaluate the benefits and considerations of play for children in reception’
This is a question that I am very passionate about investigating further because I have been a nursery
practitioner myself for five years and would love to find out other people’s experiences as an Early
Years. I am looking to interview one teacher to interview regarding their career role because this gives
myself a greater insight to what is occurring in school’s day to day routine in relation to play and how
the school define play and staff members responsibility and how this has changed with Covid-19.
My three bullet points that I want to do extra research in are
To investigate the benefits and risks associated with outdoor play opportunities
In this section the overall aim is to explore the teachers responsibility in relation outdoor learning. I
want to explore what is statutory in the Early Years Foundation Stage that Early Years Teachers must
provide in relation to play. Then I want to explore what is non-statutory in relation to outdoor learning
to explore advice and how providers can go further to increase children’s learning. Michaela Machan,
who is a Teacher who explores the role of staff in relation to the Early Years and what environments
settings should be providing for children. Next, I would like to explore the advantages of outdoor
learning with reference to Ofsted’s expectations for an Early Years setting outside provision and also
with reference to Emma Homan who works closely with the Early Years Alliance to improve play
opportunities in particular outdoor play. To follow this evaluation there will be a detailed discussion on
Jean-Jacques Rousseau who was an Early Years philosopher who published theories on children playing
outside and how valuable outdoor play is to children. To support this justification and links to relevant
learning theories I will be using the International Electronic Journal of Environmental Education this was
published in 2021 so this considers how the pandemic has increased Early Years Teachers role and
current literature.
Then there will be the things Early Years Teachers should consider in relation to outdoor play
opportunities. Liz Sutton she was an Early Years Teacher who expressed some disadvantages in relation
to outdoor play such as the environment may not be consistent across settings which can also be
applied to indoor settings, children having accidents and outdoor play being riskier for children. A study
, Research Proposal Form – TEI601 The Independent Researcher - dissertation (10,000 words – 40
credit module)
in Norway explored outdoor play to be risky but the authors acknowledge that it benefitted the
children. Other considerations are staffing shortages and equipment and short and long term plans for
Early Years provisions such as planning for outdoor learning, weather conditions and the pedagogical
stance of the school in terms of outdoor play opportunities. Lastly would follow strategies to overcome
these considerations for example recruitment and retainment of teachers, and providing good quality
equipment to support outdoor learning and how this can be achieved and how outdoor learning can be
planned per season so there is structure in children’s learning and being consistent in outdoor play
opportunities such as going outside in rain or snow. Lastly a conclusion to link back to the the question
of critically evaluating the benefits and considerations of outdoor play.
To analyse the indoor play opportunities for reception children
Following the discussion on outdoor play I want to explore the role of an Early Years teacher facilitating
indoor play and the daily responsibilities the teachers must do as well as allowing children to play. Then
will be exploring the legal EYFS requirements to explore what is compulsory for children and then
explore the non-statutory guidance on what advice teachers are being given to promote play
opportunities within the early years. In this section I would be exploring the Intent Implementation and
Impact 2019 Ofsted framework to highlight how Early Years Teachers use to reflect on the benefits of
play opportunities. Then advantages to indoor learning will follow my evaluation with reference to Early
Years Matters and Anna Ephorate who publishes her work on creating enabling environments for
children through indoor learning. Then there will be a discussion on an indoor learning theorist, to
support my evaluation of the Early Years teacher role, I have selected Susan Issacs because she believed
the role of the practitioner was as important as the role of the environment in the development of the
child. Isaacs' said the role of the practitioner was to make the environment comfortable and help the
child feel secure and at ease, to provide them with optimal conditions for them to learn which shows
how crucial it is for Early Years staff and to get this right for children at a young age and highlights
strong play opportunities. Then looking at what Teachers must consider for effective indoor learning for
instance assessment opportunities, staffing shortages , resources and equipment and the classroom
design/layout.
Jamie Hamilton who works in a forest school for reception children in Scotland conducted research on
his children and found that children’s attainment increased when he began and developed the forest
school program because it was improving their engagement, contribution and self-confidence and
Hamilton said it may help close the gap in achievement between children. He believed that all learning
should take place outside based on his research. Then I can explore what can be done to overcome the
considerations as they may not be direct disadvantages but them factors can have an impact. Lastly a
conclusion to link back to the roles and responsibilities of an Early Years teachers and why considering
all factors is essential in their job role.
