The document provides guidelines for setting up play in childcare and education settings, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful space design to cater to different types of play. It suggests regularly changing materials, such as using garden compost instead of sand, to sustain children's interest. Additionally, it encourages collaboration among staff, involvement of parents and the community, and efficient resource management to enhance the play environment.

1. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting Some examples

2. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting Think about how children move from one are to another. Try to avoid huge spaces which encourage children to run around inside the nursery unless it is a room which has been designated for this purpose. Remember to have quiet areas and noisy areas but not next to each other.

3. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting Consider the space you have available and ways in which you can maximise space Consider effective ways of cordoning off areas so that you create specific areas for different type of play.

4. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting Often sand pits are underused by the children because they haven’t been changed or because there is the same equipment there for weeks on end. Consider changing the sand to garden compost for a few days- this might generate a different type of interest for children.

5. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting Remember planning and preparation should be done with all workers and should follow the child’s interests and needs Think of possible ways of forward planning – are there recurring events e.g. Diwali, Christmas which you have resources for.

6. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting Think of ways of accessing resources – local community libraries including toy libraries, the museum service, and local businesses? Ensure all equipment and resources are stored accessibly, well labelled, replenished, and repaired. This is the role of all workers.

7. Setting up play in a childcare and Education Setting Try to involve parents and children as much as possible in accessing resources. Involve the community in maintaining them Think of “equipment sharing” by buddying with other local groups – it’s an effective way of saving some money.