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In the rush to open 2,500 children's centres by 2008 outdoor provision could be overlooked by developers - and regulation is inadequate. Mary Evans reports Early years specialists fear that well-designed outdoor environments are being overlooked in the rush to expand provision to meet the Government's target of 2,500 children's centres by 2008.

Early years specialists fear that well-designed outdoor environments are being overlooked in the rush to expand provision to meet the Government's target of 2,500 children's centres by 2008.

Although the centres are intended to be the standard bearers for the sector, focusing on young children's education, health and inclusion, there is already anecdotal evidence of settings seeking to join the programme with minimal outdoor areas.

'We worry that outdoor provision is not on the top of people's agendas when they are developing children's centres,' says Jan White, senior early years development officer for Learning Through Landscapes. 'If you think of all the services that children's centres offer, the outdoors has a vital role in each of them which can't be replicated indoors.'

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