Taking Care of our Spaces
House Keeping for the land section
October
October brings cooler temperatures, heavier rainfall, stronger winds and a covering of fallen leaves. This month’s guide explores the seasonal care and “housekeeping” that help keep outdoor spaces safe, welcoming and ready for learning throughout autumn.
You will find practical ideas for checking pathways, shelters and boundaries, managing mud and drainage, caring for tools and resources, and preparing growing areas for winter. Autumn leaves, seed heads and natural materials should not simply be cleared away—they provide habitats for wildlife and rich opportunities for children to observe seasonal change, investigate nature and take responsibility for their environment.
Involving children in caring for the land helps them develop respect, responsibility and a sense of belonging. These practices support the principles of Scotland’s Out to Play guidance by helping settings create safe, nurturing and inspiring outdoor experiences where children can play and learn in every season.
Create habitat piles using sticks, stones and fallen leaves to provide shelter for wildlife during the colder months. Clean, repair or build bird boxes, and encourage children to pause and observe the birds visiting your outdoor space.
Check that storage areas are clean, secure and watertight before putting away gardening equipment for winter. Clean and safely store any tools that are no longer being used, and repair or repaint growing containers ready for next season. Invite children to take part in a supervised litter-picking wellie walk, helping them care for their environment and understand their shared responsibility for the outdoor space.
Collect any remaining seeds, allow them to dry and store them ready for planting next year, or create a seed library to share with families and your local community. Use fallen leaves as a natural mulch to feed and protect the soil, and encourage children to notice and observe fungi without touching or disturbing it.
Create a community donation point where families can contribute non-perishable food items for a local food bank. Involving children in collecting and organising donations can encourage kindness, community responsibility and an early understanding of how we can support others.
