Nursery Equipment: Large Equipment - Big time!

Buying large pieces of equipment is expensive but, if chosen carefully, they can be regarded as an investment for your setting. In order to get lots of use out of your 'big kit', it is essential to pick carefully items that will be durable to withstand the rigours of a nursery and adaptable so that they can be changed to support different activities.

It is worth asking other settings what items they have found invaluable before you start ploughing through suppliers' websites and catalogues.

SAND AND WATER TRAYS

There is a simple enjoyment that comes with playing with sand, water and gloopy substances. While enjoying this play, children are developing motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination along with a myriad of associated learning from pouring, floating, sinking, shaping and touching.

Watch points

• Consider how much space you have in your setting and how many children will be able to play around the tray together.
• Keep the tray itself basic and then you can vary the resources.
• Transparent trays allow children to see what is happening below the surface - although sometimes these are not suitable for use with sand, which can scratch the surface.
• A plug hole is a must for water trays.
• Trays that can be lifted out of the stand, or the legs unscrew, enable them to also be used on the floor.
• Height-adjustable stands allow for use with a wider age range of children.
• Quadrant trays can be good for smaller settings or exploration with different substances (sand, water, gloop, soil) at the same time.
• Avoid trays with sand-retaining crannies or parts that are likely to rust easily.

Good buys

• Large Clear Table from Community Playthings (£370) - is height adjustable and has a hose for draining
• Sand and Water Activity Table from Wesco (small £82.30/large £97.10) - the different sizes can be used together, they can be covered to form work tables, and the legs unscrew
• Clear Play Bath from Consortium (from £25.99) - a stand and lid can also be bought
• Clear Sand and Water Activity Tray (£22.95) and Stand (£67.95) from Hope Education - can be folded when not in use
• Clear Titchy Tubs from TTS (£259.95) - are transportable, can be used in different configurations and are height-adjustable

Personally ...

'We like our sand and water trays to be made of transparent plastic so that the children can see under through the sides as well as just the surface of the water. We often use different coloured sand and water to add to the experience,' says Mandy Jackson, owner of Daisy Chain Day Nursery in Liverpool.

PLAY LOFT

These can provide a versatile space in a setting, giving an extra learning environment for quiet one-to-one or group play. Children get an exciting elevated view of the nursery and, while they are big pieces of equipment, they can increase the amount of usable floor space.

Watch points

• Consider whether there is enough space in the setting for a loft.
• Clear panels at the top can enable practitioners to monitor play.
• Lighting might be required.

Good buys

• Indoor Play Loft from TTS (£2,550) - has two levels with steps and railings on the top to allow adult supervision
• Loft with corner cut off from Educational Play (£2,904) - the shape saves space while balustrade rails allow for good visibility
• Loft2Play from Eibe, including Wooden Hut, £1,775 and Little Treehouse, £2,980 - wooden structures with slat cladding
• Bespoke play lofts from Caledonia Play (contact for quote)

Personally ...

'The children spend a lot of time in the play loft. The enclosed space provides a calm, engaging environment that encourages them to explore and develop various themes,' says Becky Sheath, manager of Fennies at Beech House in South Croydon.

BOOKSHELVES

While the most important resource in any book corner are the actual texts, it is important to display and store them well. When books are displayed thoughtfully, children will develop the skills and confidence to select and replace them independently.

Watch points

• Consider where you want to offer books - in a dedicated book corner or around the nursery.
• Some settings prefer small wicker baskets, regarding them as cosy and friendly to sit beside, while also being cheap and easily moved.
• Bookcases do, however, provide a visual display and, it is argued, encourage children to respect the books rather than just drop them in a basket.
• Bookcases on wheels can be used as flexible room dividers.
• Ideally, bookcases should enable children to see the front of books.
• Select a bookcase that enables children to take and replace books independently.

Good buys

• Library Shelf from Community Playthings (£300) - allows the cover to be displayed and has a shelf for storage or displays
• Library Rack from Community Playthings (£215) - on wheels, low level and allows front covers to be displayed. Extra storage at the back
• Library Cubes from Wesco (from £43.40 each) - can be arranged in different formats
• EB Book Unit from Early Excellence (£335) - allows the cover to be displayed, with space for larger objects
• Baskets from Ikea (from around £5)

Personally ...

'We like being able to display front covers. Our unit also allows us to put storybook props underneath in baskets,' says Lindsay Mihailovic, deputy headteacher at St Edmund's Nursery School and Children's Centre in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

BUILDER'S TRAYS

Builder's trays have become an essential piece of kit, with many settings having one for every room and the garden. They are great for containing messy activities and tend to withstand general wear and tear well.

Watch points

• Consider whether it would be useful to have stands.
• Smaller trays tend to be better for use with younger children who may want to crawl inside.

Good buys

• Active World Tray (from £15.99) and Adjustable Stand (£69.95) from TTS
• Tuff Trays from Designs for Education (£40, pack of 2)
• Tuff Tray (£18.99) and Tuff Tray with Stand (£69.99) from Consortium
• Also try local garden centres and builder's merchants

Personally ...

'So far, builder's trays with optional legs have been very useful for activities with older children using earth and vegetables, beans and pulses,' says Elizabeth Knight, manager of LARK Children's Centre in Plymouth.

INDOOR DENS

Dens are wonderful for children indoors and out, though practitioners are undecided whether it is necessary to buy a dedicated sensory den.

While some opt for constructing their own out of big boxes or with drapes over tables, others find that purpose-built environments are preferable for scientific investigation, creative play and simply relaxing.

Watch points

• Choose a den that can be stowed away easily.
• Consider how you will use the den - some are not big enough for adults to participate in comfortably.

Good buys

• Sensory Den from Consortium (£89.99) - children can crawl inside
• The Dark Den from TTS (£59.95) - children can crawl inside
• Giant Dark Den from TTS (£99.95) - is big enough for adults to enter with children
• Multi-Sensory Den from SpaceKraft (£520) - can be used for group work
• Sensory Cover and Cushion Pack from Designs for Education (£135) - can be used over an existing structure or with the Hideaway Den (£479)
• Millhouse Indoor/Outdoor Folding Den from Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (£202.30) - comes with a variety of covers: rainbow, blackout and camouflage

Personally ...

'We bought a big one so that staff can go in with the children and share the experience, rather than just supervise. We use it for a lot of projects and experiments such as discussing road safety and investigating what shows up in the dark,' says Jan Weall, manager of Castle Montessori Day Nursery in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.

EASELS

Easels allow children to absorb themselves in their artwork and stand back to consider their creations.

Watch points

• Choose an easel with room for water pots, paints and brushes, perhaps even storage underneath.
• Height-adjustable is ideal (although some nurseries cut the legs off wooden easels).
• Make sure it is easy to clean.
• Check that children are able to manipulate the paper clips themselves, or instead choose a magnetic easel.
• Those with blackboards and whiteboards provide versatility.
• Ensure it is sturdy - fixed easels are often better for children who apply more pressure when using.
• Children may prefer to work alongside each other for companionship and inspiration.

Good buys

• EB Paint Easel from Early Excellence (£335) - designed for two children to work side by side, includes a wide shelf and storage compartments
• Two Sided Art Easel from GLS (£65.35) - includes trays for paints and pots
• Art Islands from Community Playthings (Mini £402/Junior £625/Large £655) - magnetic and on wheels
• Multi-purpose Easel from Community Playthings (£210) - height-adjustable and magnetic with whiteboard and chalkboard
• 4-Sided Easel from Designs for Education (£249) - suitable for use by four children, with magnetic boards and holes for paint pots
• Large Painting Station from Eibe (£650.31) - for big artwork, and includes blackboard and shelf

Personally ...

'Our easels are magnetic so children can fix their own paper on with discs. They can often struggle to squeeze and pull the clips on other easels and tear the paper,' says Julie Addyman, director of Nippers Nursery in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire.

DRYING RACK

While drying racks are useful, they can take up floor space and are not deemed a necessity by practitioners. Folding wall-mounted racks can be space-saving, but some practitioners find washing lines with pegs or circular peg sock holders just as good.

Watch points

• Be wary of spring-loaded racks that can trap children's fingers.
• Consider whether the rack will hold the right size of paper.
• Choose a rack that children can use independently.

Good buys

• Lightweight Drying Rack from TTS (£44.95) - can be mounted at child height on the wall
• Drying Rack from Community Playthings (£375) - on wheels
• Free Standing Painting Dryer from Designs for Education (£58) - can be moved easily

Personally ...

'We have the drying racks on the wall at the children's level so they can independently hang their artwork,' says Laura Easter, general manager of Early Days Melville Street Nursery in Edinburgh.

ROLE PLAY

Role play can take on many forms, so it is important to offer a wide range of open-ended resources. Clothing and props should be stored in an attractive and accessible way so children can self-select and tidy away. Practitioners tend to invest in domestic role-play equipment and adapt existing items for other imaginative play.

Watch points: furniture

• Think how much space there is for these in your setting.
• Wooden items tend to be more durable.

Good buys

• PlayWorks items from Community Playthings; include clothes washer, stove, sink and drawer (from £70-£245) - wooden and stackable
• Toddler Kitchen from TTS (from £69.95) - wooden items include oven, washing machine and sink unit
• Duktig Mini-kitchen from Ikea (£65) - compact wooden unit including oven, sink, microwave and storage
• Roll Unfold Kitchen from Designs for Education (Small £219/Large £235) - with hob and oven, laundry centre and sink. Can be folded up

Watch points: storage

• Consider the children's capabilities when selecting how to display dressing-up items - can they reach hanging rails and manipulate coat hangers, or would hooks be better?
• Baskets can be used for storing props and clothes.

Good buys

• Dress-up Unit from Community Playthings (£435) - has hooks, boxes and rails, is on wheels and with a full-length mirror
• Role Play Trolley from TTS (£189.95) - with hanging rack, boxes, mirror
• EB Role Play Store from Early Excellence (£335) - hooks, shelves, boxes
• Dressing Up Trolley with Mirror from Designs for Education (£175) - on wheels
• Baskets from Ikea (from around £5)

Personally ...

'We try to keep the role-play area minimal so children can explore there rather than be influenced by practitioners. We go for things that can be adapted to different activities,' says Becky Sheath, manager of Fennies at Beech House in South Croydon.

WORK BENCHES

Increasingly, nurseries are investing in design and technology to enable children to engage in active learning and think creatively and critically.

Watch points

• Consider whether staff have the confidence and knowledge to make the most of a work bench or whether training is needed
• Ensure that the height is suitable (assess the tallest and smallest child in the room)
• Select a bench with enough room for tools and space to work safely

Good buys

• Busy Bench from TTS (£199.95)
• Solid Wood Workbench from Early Excellence (£265) - includes a vice
• Caledonia Play - custom-made work benches (contact for details)

Personally ...

'Our bench from Caledonia Play is used by the children all the time. It's important to have because of the Curriculum for Excellence and developing real-life skills.

'The children are very good at always putting on their goggles and having a maximum of two at the bench. Both adults and children do risk assessments,' says Laura Easter, general manager of Early Days Melville Street Nursery in Edinburgh.

INDOOR CLIMBING FRAMES AND GYMS

Enabling children to develop their physical strength and co-ordination need not be confined to the outdoors.

Watch points

• Think whether you have space for fixed climbing equipment indoors.
• Space-saving equipment includes balance beams, ramps and crawl tunnels.
• Opt for equipment that can be reconfigured to provide new challenges for children.

Good buys

• The Crest Alfresco Kit from Wesco (£610.50) - includes ramps, steps, balance beams and crawl holes
• Starter PlayFrame from Community Playthings (£975) - easy to rearrange
• Indoor Climbing Frame from TTS (£619.95) - has options to climb, slide and crawl

Personally ...

'We have a multi-gym in separate pieces so we can change the layout to keep it interesting and offer new challenges. It also means we can move it into different rooms or outside,' says Julie Addyman, director of Nippers Nursery in Knaresborough.

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- Caledonia Play, www.caledoniaplay.com, 01577 840570
- Community Playthings, www.community playthings.co.uk, 0800 387 457
- Consortium, www.earlyyears.co.uk, 0845 330 7780
- Designs for Education, www.designsfor education.co.uk, 0845 602 5434
- Early Excellence, shop.early excellence.com, 01422 311314
- Educational Play, www.educationalplay.co.uk, 01544 387103
- Eibe, www.eibe.co.uk, 01483 813 834
- GLS, www.glsed.co.uk, 08451 203 213
- Hope Education, www.hope-education.co.uk, 08451 202055
- Ikea, www.ikea.com, 020 3645 0000
- SpaceKraft, www.spacekraft.co.uk, 01274 581007
- TTS, www.tts-group.co.uk, 0800 138 1370
- Wesco, www.wesco-eshop.co.uk, 0115 989 9765
- YPO, www.ypo.co.uk
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