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As homes and gardens reflect their owners' tastes, so the use of space and equipment in early years settings reflects the taste of staff. Manufacturers offer little guidance about how to place their early years equipment in a setting, while early years training largely ignores the importance of creating a secure and comfortable learning environment for children. Not surprisingly, early years practitioners often find it difficult to use space effectively.

Manufacturers offer little guidance about how to place their early years equipment in a setting, while early years training largely ignores the importance of creating a secure and comfortable learning environment for children. Not surprisingly, early years practitioners often find it difficult to use space effectively.

What is space?

Space in a nursery is the whole area within the boundaries of walls or fences to which the children and staff have access.

The way space is used has a significant impact on both children and staff.

It determines the ethos and climate for working and playing and influences the way adults and children behave, think and feel. It is only when adults focus on the nature of the space that they begin to acknowledge how their tastes, experiences and prejudices affect its arrangement.

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