Nursery World Awards 2021 - Enabling Environments

You can download the digital Awards book here

Rainbow Nursery remained open throughout the pandemic and, with fewer children attending, managers were able to take a really critical look at the environment.

The rooms were full of traditional plastic toys already familiar to children from home. Staff were bored by the same resources and tired environment and were finding it difficult to be enthused by their work.

With this in mind, the nursery launched a complete overhaul of the environment.

Starting in the toddler room, managers removed the traditional school tables and chairs, replacing them with coffee tables and log stools. Whilst researching other pedagogies, such as Steiner and Waldorf, they discovered The Curiosity Approach and started the accreditation process in September 2020.

Rainbow Nursery is located in a Grade 2 listed building with many rooms spread across two floors. The building has come alive as changes have been implemented, with beautiful new resources such as tea services, ornaments and items of awe and wonder for the children to explore.

Staff have relished the opportunity to find exciting new resources, searching charity shops, boot sales and the depths of their own homes for treasures to share with children. Parents and families have also delighted in locating old lace tablecloths or delicate china coffee sets, and all the old toys and resources have been exchanged with local community charity Fair Frome for donations of food to disadvantaged families.

The use of authentic resources has opened children’s eyes and minds. They have become more engaged in their play and less likely to be disruptive, more respectful of the resources and consequently of each other, too. They have become more independent learners, able to self-select resources to enhance their own development, and are more responsive with staff; asking questions, seeking clarification, sharing their ideas and experimenting with new vocabulary and theories.

Staff now look at resources with fresh eyes too, evaluating how they can be used in fresh, original ways to fill children with awe and wonder.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Stables Daycare, Tonbridge

Starting life in 2004 as two derelict buildings, Stables Daycare has become a shining example of a healthy, natural environment for children.

Children have access to green open spaces, whether it is outdoor play in the natural garden, or trips to the Forest School site where they are free to run, climb ladders, watch goats, chickens and ducks, pond dip or explore.

The setting’s large fenced field houses a Mongolian yurt used as an outdoor playroom. Children can relax under canvas-covered lattice wooden poles on soft natural cushions or play quietly on the rustic wooden floor.

Outside the yurt are two large wooden water butts for handwashing, two compost toilets, and a beehive bridge which children can climb and hide in. There are two rocket-shaped dens and sloping monkey bars, planters and a bug hotel. Magnetic blackboards and paper-lined fences encourage children to mark make.

Children can engage in challenging physical tasks in the environment, explore lifecycles and seasons, and work as a team to solve problems like fetching a rogue boot stuck in a muddy puddle.

FINALISTS

Kids Planet Stretton, Warrington

Toddletown Day Nursery, Godalming

Watermead Day Nursery, Loughborough

CRITERION

Open to early years settings who have developed elements of their provision to create stimulating, child-centred learning environments in line with the principles of the EYFS. This could be any aspect or area of the setting, including outdoor area, forest school, under-threes provision, movement play area, free flow, children’s access to self-chosen activities etc.