Why Early Years play is essential to your child's development

Learning to work together

Some of the biggest lessons children learn don't come from sitting at a table. They happen in the small moments throughout the day.

At our three South Birmingham nurseries, that might mean a group of children working together to carry water across the playground to fill a channel they've created. It could be building the tallest tower possible from blocks, taking turns on climbing equipment, or problem-solving together when their den keeps falling down.

It's these everyday experiences that help child development, including communication skills, resilience, empathy and teamwork. One of our recent Ofsted inspections captured this beautifully. Inspectors at The Maples observed: ‘During play, a child says to another child, "I will play with this while you have your turn, then we can swap."’ It's a simple exchange, but it demonstrates negotiation, patience, empathy and understanding, all skills that children develop naturally through play.

What play looks like in our nurseries

No two days are the same, because children's interests help shape their experiences. Across our nurseries, children have daily opportunities to explore both indoors and outdoors.

You might find children:

• Building obstacle courses and practising balance and coordination

• Digging, scooping and transporting sand and water together

• Exploring bugs, plants and changing seasons in the wonderful Winterbourne Garden

• Creating imaginative role-play games with friends

• Listening to stories, singing songs and sharing conversations

• Using natural materials to build, investigate and create

• Growing flowers, fruit and vegetables in our Forest School environments

These experiences may look simple, but they're essential to child development and cover every area of learning.

The power of outdoor play

One thing our nursery teams often notice is how much children flourish when given time and space outdoors. Whether they're climbing, running, balancing, planting seeds or simply exploring the natural world, outdoor play encourages children to take manageable risks, build confidence and develop independence.

That's why access to outdoor environments is part of everyday life in our nurseries, whatever the season. Our Forest School sessions are particularly popular, giving children opportunities to explore nature, care for growing plants, hunt for mini beasts and learn about the environment around them.

Following children's curiosity

Our approach is inspired by the Curiosity Approach, which encourages children to explore, investigate and think for themselves. Rather than directing every activity, practitioners create inviting environments that spark children's interests and encourage discovery.

Sometimes that starts with a question. Why is this leaf different to that one? What happens if we add more water? How can we make this tower stronger?

Children are natural explorers, and some of the most valuable learning happens when they're given the time to investigate their own ideas.

Supporting every area of development

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) identifies seven key areas of learning, from communication and language through to mathematics, literacy and understanding the world. The wonderful thing about play is that it supports all of them at once.

When children...

• build a den together, they're communicating, negotiating, solving problems and using physical skills

• pretend to run a shop, they're developing language, practising counting and exploring social situations

• plant seeds in the garden, they're learning about the natural world while developing patience and responsibility

Play isn't separate from learning. For young children, play is learning, and this value is something we strongly encourage throughout our nurseries.

Building foundations for the future

The confidence, resilience, curiosity and friendships children develop through early years play don't disappear when they start school. They're the foundations that help children approach new experiences, tackle challenges and enjoy learning throughout their lives.

And while the games, toys and activities may change as children grow, the importance of early years play never really does.