Whether you’re hoping to improve the development of children in early years settings, their mental health or even quite simply their level of enjoyment, there are a multitude of different ways to do that. Outdoor play is an essential part of life for children of all ages and making the most of it is actually much easier than most think.
Here are 10 tips to help you improve your outdoor play area in an early years setting.
Ensure Easy Access
Making sure all outdoor learning is easily accessible is one of the best ways to improve any outdoor setting. Checking accessibility should become part of your routine and in doing so, you ensure all children will enjoy playground equipment, moving freely between the indoor and outdoor setting.
Provide Suitable Surfacing
Surfacing is often overlooked yet it makes such a difference. While natural grass may look good in the summer, it can often be high maintenance and messy during winter. Artificial grass is fantastic as it looks good all year round, providing an all-weather surface and provides a soft landing too, unlike concrete or gravel.
Make Use Of Storage
Storage allows more toys to be utilised outside while keeping things safe and clean at the same time, when not in use. Storage can be acquired in a range of sizes too, making it a great option for just about every setting whatever the size.
Variety Is Key
From musical toys to climbing frames, mud kitchens to planters, seating to playground markings, variety is the spice of life and is key to keeping young ones involved in the great outdoors as much as possible; especially young ones with short attention spans.
Get Messy
From mud kitchens to planters, messy play is great for giving children the chance to feel different textures, enriching their play and learning opportunities throughout the year. Whether it’s water, mud or sand, there are numerous ways children can take advantage of messy play making it easier than ever to enjoy this type of enrichment.
Markings For Play
Playground markings can provide bright colours and games without taking up any space whatsoever in a playground. They can entice little ones to venture out, even in the most wintery of weather.
Keep Them Active
The health benefits of activity are well documented so ensuring your outdoor play area keeps little ones active is paramount. From bridges to climbing frames, it’s easier than you think to keep little ones moving during break time and with the right playground equipment, it makes playing outdoors even more enticing.
Create A Reading Area
While activity is important, having a quiet space to read and look at their favourite books is just as important. This can be achieved through a simple bench or better still, through a covered bench with enough room for a few children to enjoy time together with their favourite book.
Provide Ready Made Dens
Dens are fantastic for encouraging children to use their imaginations and really take part in role play. With a wicker den in place, you can watch as children immediately turn their space into ‘grown-up homes’ and even far away lands they discover in their minds.
Ensure Layout Is Correct
Layout and zoning is so important as it allows children to move comfortably and safely through each play area. It also aids with tip number one… ensuring easy access for all.
Contact The Experts Today
For more information on playground equipment for early years settings, we recommend contacting Sovereign Early Years today on 01702 804198. Sovereign Early Years are the leading experts in EYFS playground equipment and can help you with every aspect from design through to installation and maintenance.
