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Children will happily engage in exploring and investigating of their own limitless accord if early years settings provide the basic tools for sand and water play, writes Anne O'Connor Sand and water play has long been fundamental to good practice in early education. Sadly, it is not always available in reception classrooms.

Sand and water play has long been fundamental to good practice in early education. Sadly, it is not always available in reception classrooms.

Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage points clearly to its value across the curriculum, particularly in developing children's knowledge and understanding of the world.

Children will be very inventive in the way they use sand and water (and related equipment) and as practitioners, we should take care not to be too prescriptive in how resources are used. Equally, we must be clear about the learning that can take place and plan effectively to make the most of children's experiences.

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