Guidance around the play environment

The physical environment

• Continuous provision
• Defined spaces and ‘zoned’ areas
• Materials and resources
• Storage and organisation
• Space for group times
• Different levels
• Sensory exploration
• Displays
• Space for private meetings
  

The social and emotional environment

• Supporting regulation
• Building independence
• Peer relationships
• Group sizes and composition
• Practitioner role:
  • Positive interactions
  • Personal care routines
  • Team co-operation

The temporal environment

• Varying activity level, alternating between high pace and low pace
• Opportunities for movement
• Supporting children’s awareness of the routine
• Supporting children’s awareness of how we tidy up and look after our toys
• Reducing waiting/holding times