Special Focus: How to approach refreshing your provision

As September brings a new cohort of children, with different interests and requirements, many settings find they need to reassess and refresh provision to ensure it is fit for purpose. Sometimes it’s a case of introducing new resources, but more often it is about rethinking how existing space is used and giving what is already available a thorough spring clean and repair.

To kick off an audit of your provision, make the following check list:

QUALITY NOT QUANTITY

At the five-strong chain Kidzrus, practitioners continuously look at ways in which they can enhance the provision to meet the needs of new arrivals.

Olivia Young, nursery manager at Kidzrus Nursery in Monton, Eccles in Greater Manchester, says, ‘Each term we complete a step back, pause and reflect document, with the practitioners in each room. This document looks at the interests of the children, gaps in development and overall room improvements. We reflect on recent months and devise a plan for the coming term, which then feeds into our visions, inspirations and values board. This ensures that staff are involved in developments across the nursery.’