Plan an enabling play environment: indoors, outdoors

Qualification: Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 3.4: Contribute to enabling play environments
Learning outcome: 6 Be able to provide enabling play environments
Assessment criteria: 6.1 Plan an enabling play environment: indoors, outdoors

• For this assessment criterion, you will be required to plan enabling play environments, both inside and outside
• The child’s age and stage of development should be a prime consideration
• Babies require a relaxing/calming environment indoor environment and time with their Key Person to play and explore, outdoor areas must be safe (e.g. babies should not be at risk of being knocked over by older children etc.)
• E.g. an enabling play environment for babies could include an area to sit and cuddle, heauristic play baskets, low furniture so that they can pull themselves up etc.
• Toddlers need space to move and be active and a wide variety of activities to move between
• E.g. an enabling play environment for toddlers could include opportunities for parallel play, free-flow between indoor and outdoor environments, pushchairs/trolleys etc.
• Older children require activities that will challenge them and build on their development, whilst providing opportunitiesfor them to practice independence, communication and socialisation
• E.g. an enabling play environment for older children could include cutting/pasting, mark-making, storytime etc.