spaces to enhance play, learning and well-being. Ruth Thomson
explains.
Any nursery layout needs to have a sense of 'flow', signalling to children that they can move easily from one area to another, bringing with them whatever resources they want. But of equal importance are clearly defined spaces, giving the visual message to children: 'This is where you can settle, uninterrupted and become absorbed in your play'.
Writing in Just Imagine!, Sue Crook and Betty Farmer note that visual boundaries indicate to children that 'this is where the play will happen', so 'minimising distractions and interruptions from children not playing in the area' and 'increasing the likelihood of productive play and a high level of concentration'.
Such defined spaces, argue Crook and Farmer, should be large or small, across the nursery - and presented attractively. Why not, they suggest, use a big rug to indicate the boundaries for block play, upend a table to frame a role-play area or create a small-world play set on a big cardboard box.
Caroline Eaton, early years consultant and author of Enabling Environments on a Shoestring, also advocates giving careful thought to how to break up spaces.
'The most important thing to consider when planning your environment is the flexible use of furniture that enables you to break up the spaces into smaller spaces,' she says. 'For example, instead of putting units against the wall, place a rug between the wall and the unit to create a cosy space for children to read or relax in.'
Early years consultant Penny Tassoni agrees about the importance of well-defined and attractive areas, but sees wider benefits in nurseries focusing their attention on creating comfortable medium-sized spaces.
'At home, most children are used to relatively small spaces, which they find comfortable, cosy and intimate,' she says. 'Creating these spaces in nursery allows children to be in sight of the adult and have fairly intimate interactions with them, but they also enable children to concentrate and immerse themselves in their own world, free from other children who might distract them.
'Very importantly for younger children, these spaces provide a soundscape that is much quieter and free from competing noises that may affect their speech production and motivation to talk.
'We're very good at creating the small spaces in nurseries, but it's these slightly larger, medium-sized, spaces that are big enough for children to take resources into that we need to pay greater attention to.'
Atelier Nursery in Bath (see pages 4-6) has an Indoor Play Loft from TTS Group, an investment that has been 'well worth it', says co-owner Clare Crowther.
The loft was bought principally to address boys' lower outcomes in numeracy and literacy and in response to an ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale) survey, which includes provision of private spaces.
Used primarily for role play, the upstairs is home to such resources as hard hats and knights costumes as well as iPads and writing materials. Downstairs is regularly used as a role-play office. With the loft, says Ms Crowther, 'We've seen improvements in the children's level of well-being as it's a private space where they can work at a pace that suits them.
'They are also able to peer scaffold and that works really well, and they know that it is a space to be used purposefully so they have a real sense of agenda when working there.'
ON THE MARKET
A mix of rugs, panels, clothes horses and fabrics may be all that a setting needs to create secluded learning areas, but there are a growing number of products on the market that provide interesting spaces, principally for role play and storytime.
Pavilla Dream World (£1,995), Asco Educational
This sturdy play structure from Asco Educational is a role-play platform, cosy corner and sensory area in one. Measuring 175cm x 164cm x 164cm, it is supplied with curtains, two mats and a bolster cushion and has moveable curtain rails. Transform it to suit any play theme or snuggle up for a chat or story. Also available is the Pavilla Fantasy (£2,795).
Plain Creative Cosy Den (£279.95), Hope Education
Like the Pavilla from Asco, this Cosy Den from Hope Education can be transformed for play, sensory exploration or relaxation. Turn it into your reading room or drape curtains from it and use it as a theatre. Also available is the Maple Creative Cosy Den (£339.99).
Lovely Learning Location (£499.95), TTS Group
While an ideal space for a home corner, the Lovely Learning Location from TTS Group could just as easily 'house' other areas of continuous provision, such as maths, mark making or small-world play.
The structure can be decorated with voile, ribbons and mobiles by threading them though the flower fretwork, or draped with curtains, LED lights and mirrored shapes. Made from birch, ply and beechwood, it measures 168cm x 165cm x 200cm.
Indoor Play Loft (£2,650) and Nursery Play Loft (£2,995), TTS Group
With the Indoor Play Loft from TTS Group, you could set up shop downstairs then head upstairs for a story.
The open panels allow in plenty of light to the lower level, while the upstairs balustrade enables children to see out and practitioners to see in.
Made from solid beech, the loft is 268cm wide, 240cm high and requires a floor space of 270cm x 270cm. It has an anti-slip staircase.
The Nursery Play Loft features a staircase leading from a staging area to the upper level with balustrade and soft floor tiles. The downstairs has three portholes, a window and half walled back panels to allow in light.
HABA Shop (£3,945), Cost Cutters
The HABA Shop role-play area offers some flexibility for varying the theme of the area, while the upstairs comes with portholes and balustrade. The overall height is 258cm and it requires a space of 193cm x 207cm.
A HABA Shop giveaway is running until 31 July (see www.costcuttersuk.com/win-a-haba-shop).
The Warren Classic Range (£3,576), Educational Play
Part of Educational Play's Classic range of classroom lofts, the Warren provides four distinctive areas for role-play activities. It is 300cm wide, 150cm deep and has a platform height of 120cm. The range includes the Den (£2,136) and the Camp (£2,568). A Loft with Corner Cut Off (£2,904) is also available, as is a wide range of bespoke models.
MORE INFORMATION
'Just imagine', www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/feature/1090705/learningdevelopment-presentation-imagine
Asco, www.ascoeducational.co.uk
Cost Cutters, www.costcuttersuk.com
Educational Play, www.educationalplay.co.uk
Hope Education, www.hope-education.co.uk
TTS Group, www.tts-group.com.
