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The main objective of this article is to discuss how an Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) institution in a refugee camp can promote social sustainable education. By giving empirical examples of innovative pedagogical ideas and practices inside a Greek ECEC institution, this article argues that concepts of formation are ways to promote social sustainable education. The article draws on data from an ECEC institution in which both the children living in a refugee camp and Greek children are located together. With nature as a neutral cultural mediator, serving as a pedagogical framework, children can make new experiences based on participation, equality and mutual respect. Data were produced through field observations, semi-structured interviews and one group interview from March 2019 until September 2019. The empirical data reveal three dimensions that we suggest work as markers for social sustainable pedagogical practice: the importance of nature and play as a facilitator for children’s activities; the importance of participation and equality; and the importance of commitment to the community. The findings are discussed in relation with theoretical concepts of formation, with a particular focus on children as active agents and the value of experiences, and the importance of highly qualified educators.

The main objective of this study was to explore children's activities on preschool playgrounds, and how different playground features (topography, equipment, size, location etc.) affected children's play. The study aimed to contribute with knowledge on how outdoor environments encourage different kinds of play and learning for preschool children. The data collection was based on the methodology of "mosaic approach", which is a multi-method focusing on children's perspectives (Clark & Moss, 2001; Clark & Moss, 2005; Clark, 2010), using observations, guided tours, children's drawings and interviews. The results show that pre-defined play equipment is of less meaning for the preschool children in this study. They preferred varied and unpredictable environments with possibilities to create their own play based on undefined elements such as sticks, stones and branches.

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