1. Unit 5 Play and learning
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2. LO6 Understand the characteristics of an enabling play environment.
AC 6.1 Explain the characteristics of an enabling:
indoor play environment
outdoor play environment.
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3. List the equipment that stays out in the outdoor area night and day.
LO6 Understand the characteristics of an enabling play environment [AC 6.1]
Time: 10 mins
List the equipment that stays out in the outdoor area night and day.
List the equipment that is set out in the outdoor play area on a daily basis.
Discuss with a partner.
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4. An enabling play environment
LO6 Understand the characteristics of an enabling play environment [AC 6.1]
An enabling play environment
The learning environment should should encourage children to play and explore.
Early years practitioners provide activities and play opportunities that are stimulating and age and stage appropriate.
An enabling play environment allows children to make choices and decisions about their play.
An enabling environment takes all individual needs in to account and ensures all children have equal access.
It stimulates children to express themselves.
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5. The indoor environment.
LO6 Understand the characteristics of an enabling play environment [AC 6.1]
Time: 15 mins
The indoor environment.
Discuss the free-choice play opportunities available in your setting.
Are there set, adult-led activities or tasks that children have to do on a daily basis?
Why is it important to have a mixture of both?
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6. An enabling play environment
LO6 Understand the characteristics of an enabling play environment [AC 6.1]
An enabling play environment
Children need opportunities to explore the indoor and outdoor environment.
The weather should not stop outdoor play.
The outdoor environment requires as much thought and planning as the indoor environment.
Children should have free flow access between indoor and outdoor play.
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7. The outdoor environment.
LO6 Understand the characteristics of an enabling play environment [AC 6.1]
Time: 15 mins
The outdoor environment.
Discuss how and when outdoor play is offered in your setting
What is the role of the early years practitioner during outdoor play in your setting?
Is there a rota for adults to supervise the outdoor play environment in your setting?
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8. LO6 Understand the characteristics of an enabling play environment [AC 6.1]
An enabling environment is:
Fun
Stimulating
Inviting
Available to all
Limitless
Flexible
Linked to children’s interests
Supportive

9. Look at slide 8 in this presentation – ‘An enabling environment is’.
LO6 Understand the characteristics of an enabling play environment [AC 6.1]
Time: 15 mins
Look at slide 8 in this presentation – ‘An enabling environment is’.
Describe what each point means.
Identify how your setting supports this.
Discuss areas for improvement in your setting.
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10. LO6 Understand the characteristics of an enabling play environment [AC 6.1]
Time: 15 mins
For your given age range, describe an enabling play environment that provides stimulating activities and opportunities for all children.
Consider:
The indoor and outdoor environment
The age of the children
The role of the adult
Meeting individual needs:
0–1 year 11 months
2–2 years 11 months
3–5 years.
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11. Reflect on the provision in your setting.
LO6 Understand the characteristics of an enabling play environment [AC 6.1]
Time: 15 mins
Reflect on the provision in your setting.
Describe one element of your setting that is a good example of an enabling environment.
Explain one element of an enabling environment that you would like to add or include in your setting.
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12. Examples from the setting that can easily be used at home
LO6 Understand the characteristics of an enabling play environment [AC 6.1]
Time: 15 mins
You are going to talk to parents/carers about the benefits of an enabling play environment and you have been asked to prepare a short report to show how parents can support this at home.
Include:
Examples from the setting that can easily be used at home
The importance of outdoor spaces.
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13. In this lesson we have learnt that:
An enabling play environment does not have to be expensive. Children can play with pots, pans and tins from a cupboard and have as much fun with them as playing with a very expensive toy.
Adults have a crucial role to play in supporting and providing an enabling play environment.
The interests and likes of the children should be incorporated into the play environment. Helping children to turn a corner of the nursery in to a cave after enjoying the story We’re Going on a Bear Hunt will provide many exciting play opportunities.
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14. Name four elements of an enabling play environment.
Describe one change you will make to your own practice after this session.
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