Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting

1. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting Some examples

2. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting • Think about how children move from one are to another. Try to avoid huge spaces which encourage children to run around inside the nursery unless it is a room which has been designated for this purpose. • Remember to have quiet areas and noisy areas but not next to each other.

3. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting • Consider the space you have available and ways in which you can maximise space • Consider effective ways of cordoning off areas so that you create specific areas for different type of play.

4. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting • Often sand pits are underused by the children because they haven’t been changed or because there is the same equipment there for weeks on end. • Consider changing the sand to garden compost for a few days- this might generate a different type of interest for children.

5. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting • Remember planning and preparation should be done with all workers and should follow the child’s interests and needs • Think of possible ways of forward planning – are there recurring events e.g. Diwali, Christmas which you have resources for.

6. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting • Think of ways of accessing resources – local community libraries including toy libraries, the museum service, and local businesses? • Ensure all equipment and resources are stored accessibly, well labelled, replenished, and repaired. This is the role of all workers.

7. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting • Try to involve parents and children as much as possible in accessing resources. • Involve the community in maintaining them • Think of “equipment sharing” by buddying with other local groups – it’s an effective way of saving some money.