Lyon may become the first city in France to offer outdoor kindergarten options — city officials have announced the opening of the first such institutions, modeled after those in Northern Europe, later this year.
Lyon’s city hall, led by a representative of the Green Party, announced that by the end of the year, two experimental “outdoor kindergartens” will open, inspired by similar models in Scandinavian countries. The idea is based on the belief that this approach benefits children’s health and overall development. One of the kindergartens will be located in a city park and will accommodate 20 children.
The concept is for children to spend the entire day outdoors — regardless of the weather or season — following the philosophy that “there’s no bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” For meals or shelter during bad weather or heat, children can move into light wooden cabins placed among the trees.
City officials hope to gain experience from operating these first kindergartens, after which more such institutions may be opened.
