When children interact with loose parts, they enter a world of “what if” that promotes the type of thinking that leads to problem solving. Loose parts enhance children’s ability to think imaginatively and see solutions, and they bring a sense of adventure and excitement to children’s everyday play. We use natural resources throughout the setting where we can, boosting natural curiosity and engagement.

Small worlds, as well as being fun, are the ideal platform for nurturing children’s imagination from a young age. This play provides them with an opportunity to explore new materials, act out scenarios from real life, build language, practice social skills, and gain an understanding of the world. Each room provides role play toys and areas making it easy for all our children to experience small world play.

Whether it be problem solving, team building, comparisons or sorting, each room provides tools and resources for all our children to learn how to measure and succeed in practical everyday tasks, from babies counting blocks to pre school using tape measures, every child is given the opportunity and access to learn these skills.

Constructive play helps our children to make sense of the world, they develop problem solving and social skills and improve their fine motor development. Young children often gravitate towards constructive play when given a choice in our setting. We provide both indoor and outdoor areas for building and creating.

We are fortunate to have ample outdoor space available to us. Being based in a rural town and within the grounds of a large school campus, we often take advantage of the fields and open space. We encourage all of our children to spend time outdoors, going on walks, playing in our newly refurbished gardens and being at one with nature.

Not only is playing with mud and sand great fun, but it also has lots of great educational benefits for young minds. From learning how to sculpt and build, to improving hand-eye coordination, playing with mud and sand is one of the many ways in which children’s development can be enhanced with sensory equipment. We pride ourselves in taking the inside classroom, outside.

When it comes to the role of technology in early years, some people may think that young children don’t need technology, but it can play a positive role in a child’s learning and development. Learning how to use technology in this tech-heavy world is a life skill that has become essential. From old phones and cameras to computer keyboards, our children can imitate everyday actions they have observed already in their young lives.

An effective mark making area gives children ample exposure to the purposes of writing – writing is so much more than forming letters or learning the alphabet. Children make marks to express their feelings and communicate with others. Although toddlers and pre schoolers may not write conventionally, they demonstrate their writing abilities in a variety of ways such as scribbling, drawing, and making letter-like forms. We provide various mark making tools to all ages, allowing them to be creative and express themselves freely.

Water play provides valuable childhood experiences through hours of absorbing fun. Our children love it – splashing and pouring, spraying and creating waves in all weathers. It enhances their creativity and imagination, promotes good health and well-being and provides opportunities for some wonderful investigative and scientific learning.

As well as developing numeracy, mathematics supports skills such as problem solving, understanding and using shapes and measure, and improves children’s spacial awareness. Everyday is a puzzle and we are here to guide our children and support them in finding the pieces.

Through imaginative play children learn critical thinking skills, how to follow simple directions, build expressive and receptive language, increase social skills and learn how manage their emotions. As a team, we encourage all our children to be themselves and take on roles in their play. One costume fits all.