Our Early Learning & Childcare Centre (ELCC) facility comprises of a large playroom with snack area, kitchen, toilet cubicles and a nappy changing area. We have a cloakroom at the entrance to the setting. 

The space has been designed to promote independent, child-led learning and play. The inside has natural wood furniture and neutral decoration following the Early Years thinking that the children bring the colour to the space. Low dividers partition the room into activity areas and the spaces are designed to be playful and homely.

Areas are kept clear in the mornings to invite children to explore the room and enable them to feel comfortable transporting items they wish to.

Large floor to ceiling windows and doors make the rooms bright and airy, allowing children to have a visual connection with the outdoor space. This is enhanced by the practice of allowing the children to choose to go outside when they want to, making the two spaces feel like one.

The playroom has a beautiful home corner, a large block play space, creative areas, literacy stations and small, calm sensory areas. All activity furnishings, resources and storage for learners are accessible by them and pin boarding is also at their level so they can celebrate their own work by adding it to the display.

Soft furnishings, rugs, lamps and plants create a really homely comfortable environment to improve wellbeing, making the space a nice place to be.

The playroom also has its own kitchen for food prep which includes adult and child height sinks.

Outside, we have a fully enclosed garden area which runs the full length of the building, with a large covered area which allows use of outdoors all year round. It offers a free flow approach for learners to choose whether they want to be inside the playroom or outdoors. Providing them with space to ride bikes/scooters, explore with water, mud and sand, play with loose parts and be surrounded by nature. 

We risk assess the space everyday alongside a team of children, taking into account the impacts of weather on our learning environment.