Stimulate the senses, stretch children's skills and extend provision for special needs by developing a sensory garden, as one nursery shows Viv Hampshire how they did it.
Cowgate Under 5s has opened up its spaces so that children of different age groups can move freely around the setting - with significant benefits. The nursery's June Graham explains why it works.
A visiting artist at one nursery in Salisbury has radically opened up the possibilities for children’s creativity, reports Marianne Sargent
'Free-and-found' resources lend themselves to creative, child-directed outdoor play. Julie Mountain offers some guidance on sourcing them.
Active outdoor play has many benefits for children. Viv Hampshire explains how her children's centre is encouraging families to get out and about, rain or shine.
Careful thought is needed to create well-defined and attractive spaces to enhance play, learning and well-being. Ruth Thomson explains.
Play involving hands and feet can help develop observation and thinking skills beyond simple recognition of size, shape and pattern. Marianne Sargent suggests some ideas.
Early years landscape designer Julie Mountain continues her exploration of an innovative Canadian approach to early childhood landscape design - the 7Cs - by looking at context and connectivity.
Puzzles, magnets and wind equipment set fun challenges for early science exploration in products that childcarers tested for Mary Evans.