Outdoor Environment Audit:
Sensory Regulation & Motor Skills
A 5-minute self-assessment for NQS Quality Area 3 compliance.
Play Move Improve | Robyn Papworth (Developmental Educator & Exercise Physiologist).
Section 1: Proprioception & 'Heavy Work' (The Meltdown Preventers)
Goal: To see if the yard provides enough "deep pressure" to calm high-energy children.
Do you have a designated 'Heavy Digging' zone with deep soil or sand?
Yes
No
Not enough for the size of the group
Are there child-sized wheelbarrows or weighted buckets available for moving materials (mulch, rocks, water)?
Yes
No
Not enough for the size of the group
Do children have access to 'resistance' activities like pulling weeds or raking?
Yes
No
Is there an area where children can safely push or pull large objects (e.g., large pots, logs, tyres, planks)?
Yes
No
Section 2: Vestibular & Motor Planning (The Focus Builders)
Goal: To assess if the environment challenges balance and coordination.
Does the garden include uneven terrain or slopes for climbing and traversing?
Yes
No
Are there 'natural' balance beams like garden edging, logs, or flat stones that children are allowed to use?
Yes
No
Are tools (trowels, spray bottles, seed packets) stored in a way that requires children to squat, reach, or cross their midline to access?
Yes
No
Section 3: Tactile & Fine Motor (The School-Ready Skills)
Goal: Assessing the foundation for pencil grip and hand strength.
Do you have at least 3 different plant textures available (e.g., 'Lamb's Ear' for soft, 'Rosemary' for rough, 'Succulents' for waxy)?
Yes
No
Are there 'Pincer Grasp' opportunities, such as sorting small seeds or picking small berries/herbs?
Yes
No
Is water play integrated into gardening (e.g., using spray bottles to develop trigger-finger strength)?
Yes
No
Section 4: NQS Compliance & Documentation
Can you clearly demonstrate how your outdoor space supports children with sensory processing needs?
Yes
No
I need help with this
Do you have a written 'Intentional Teaching' plan for outdoor developmental play?
Yes
No
Are educators confident in 'translating' garden play into developmental milestones for parent reports?
Yes
No
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