• The new area was unveiled during a celebration to mark 25 years of Early Years and Childhood Studies at UCC.
• Outdoor play in early years supports children’s physical and mental health, wellbeing and development.
• The unveiling event took place during the School of Education’s annual EDFEST.

University College Cork (UCC) has officially opened the Outdoor Teaching and Learning Area at an event marking 25 years of Early Years and Childhood Studies at UCC.

The outdoor teaching and learning area at Fernhurst is used by early years and childhood studies students, for course workshops exploring childhood play, creativity, pedagogical principles and practices. 

The outdoor learning space project was a collaboration between Dr Stephen O’Brien, Dr Vanessa Rutherford, Dr Maura Cunneen, Marcella Towler, Dr Joao Costa from the School of Education UCC with Michael O’Sullivan, Buildings and Estates UCC, and Silvabuild. 

The outdoor learning space project was a collaboration between Dr Stephen O’Brien, Dr Vanessa Rutherford, Dr Maura Cunneen, Marcella Towler, Dr Joao Costa from the School of Education UCC with Michael O’Sullivan, Buildings and Estates UCC, and Silvabuild.

Dr Joao Costa, Dr Steve O’Brien, Mr Michael O’Sullivan (formerly B&E), Dr Vanessa Rutherford, Dr Maura Cunneen, Prof Chris Williams, Prof Kathy Hall, Dr Jacqueline Fallon (NCCA), Ms Marcella Towler, Mr John Murphy. 

Marcella Towler, Lecturer in Early Years and Childhood Studies, said: “Outdoor play offers infinite opportunities for children’s enjoyment, learning and holistic development. Our outdoor learning space provides opportunities for EYCS students to gain practical knowledge of facilitating and enhancing the outdoor play experiences of the children with whom they will work.”

Professor Chris Wiliams 

Dr Maura Cunneen, Co-Director of Early Years and Childhood Studies UCC, said: “The School of Education Outdoor Teaching and Learning space will provide further opportunities to benefit not only the students but wherever their careers with children may take them.”

The outdoor learning space was opened by Professor Chris Williams, Head of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, during EDFEST, an annual seminar hosted by the School of Education.  

The seminar explored ‘Early Years Curricular Ideology and Implementation: Aistear and the Draft Primary School Curriculum Framework’.

Opening Edfest, Dr Domnall Fleming, School of Education Community Engagement Committee, said: “The main purpose of this event is to acknowledge the support provided to our students on placement and to provide a professional learning opportunity based here in UCC for the staff of these placement and school settings. Our ongoing engagement with community-based childcare organisations is one of the keys to the success of our Early Years Curriculum at UCC.”

The BA (Early Childhood Studies) Degree Programme began at UCC in 1995 with 23 students and was the first in Ireland. Over the years, the programme evolved into the BA Early Years and Childhood Studies programme. Student intake increased to 100 per annum, and in 2021, the programme moved from a three to a four-year programme.