The environment we create in our setting, indoors and outdoors, should be central to children’s authentic experiences. For this reason, we should continually monitor and review the effectiveness of the environment and adapt accordingly. During the early years, exploration of the environment is a key driver for development. Through exploration of their environment, children begin to develop a sense of belonging and an appreciation of the world around them.
We should ensure the environments in our setting are welcoming and promote a strong Welsh ethos. They should celebrate and value diversity, and demonstrate inclusivity. They should be communication rich and focus on promoting emerging communication skills and developing them further. The environment should ensure that children have access to a broad range of authentic resources to help build vocabulary and facilitate concept development. A well-planned and organised environment will scaffold the development of children’s understanding of mathematical concepts, for example through visual and practical opportunities to experience number, shape and pattern in authentic contexts, both indoors and outdoors.
There should be opportunities for children to develop gross and fine motor skills, as they challenge themselves physically. There should be access within the environment to a range of open-ended resources, including digital media, to enhance learning in developmentally appropriate ways. The environment will also support mastery, by allowing frequent and extended opportunities to practise, rehearse and embed taught skills in a wide range of contexts. There should be flexibility and variety within the environment, offering risk and challenge, and supporting children to develop confidence, independence and resilience. The environment should be responsive to the range of emotions a young child can experience and should offer time and protected quieter spaces for self-regulation, contemplation and reflection to nurture a child’s well-being.
