Who is this course for?

Preschool Teachers, and Teaching Assistants

Reception Teachers, and Teaching Assistants

Preschool Practitioners

Two-Year Old Practitioners

Practitioners working with babies and toddlers

EYFS Leaders

What does it cover?

This practical hands-on workshop is a fantastic starting point for introducing or extending loose parts play in your early years provision.

There is a comprehensive overview of how loose parts play contributes to learning across the whole curriculum, all done through a sequence of hands-on and exciting activities.

Practitioners will explore open-ended learning in many manifestations, and find out and interact face-to-face with the types of resources and provocations that can ignite child-led enquiry.

The course takes a holistic viewpoint, and promotes that a loose parts play strategy should involve practitioners across the whole setting. Ways of educating practitioners and parents are set out. Also, there is a section of the course devoted to formulating a plan for how each individual setting can use parental involvement in gathering materials and resources, and also how to educate parents in how open-ended learning takes place.  

Risk assessment also takes a pivotal role in the course, and we examine how each and every resource and provocation can be risk assessed, and health and safety managed effectively.

What is its aim?

This session provides a whole-setting approach to loose parts play.

Practitioners will develop a sound knowledge of numerous open-ended and exciting provocations that can spark child-led learning. 

Practitioners will explore how simple resources can be found, bought, or created, for long-term learning experiences. 

Attendees will also come away with a sound knowledge of the safety side of using loose parts, as well as the understanding of how to promote the approach to colleagues and parents. 

What is its content?

 A sneak peak inside the course:

Portrait frames can be made from numerous resources as you will find out, and children can engage with them in many ways including transitional art techniques and early mathematical enquiry.

Explore using tinker-trays and find out how to make tinker trays targeted at different age groups. Also examine how tinker-trays can be introduced, and how they can be used to support a range of provocations in different areas of the curriculum.

There is an exploration of mirrors and mirror books, and their mathematical properties.

Attendees will use a range of different five and ten frames, made for natural materials. Explore using loose parts on natural frames in a range of ways that support early maths skills.

Explore the artisitc properties of loose parts, and also their use as a medium to inspire creativity and communication. 

Practitioners will explore a plan for integrating loose parts play across their whole setting based upon their current level of provision. A plan is set forth for how to engage parents, and use their talents, enthusiasm and ideas. 

Who delivers this course?

This session is led by Debby Stevens. Debby is the author of ‘Loose Parts Play – A Beginner’s Guide’. She has worked in the early years for over 25 years, managing a large team in a chain of private day nurseries. You can read her full biography here. 

What do people say about this course?

 “A very well prepared course. Great practical ideas which can be applied almost immediately. I liked the simplicity of the course. Thank you!” Karla Milton, EYFS Leader, Firs School

“A great strength of the course is the opportunity to have a go yourself. Lots of ideas were shared about how to source things, and where to buy from. Very enjoyable and informative. Lovely ideas that can be easily implemented in practice.” Hannah Travers, Reception Teacher, Broad Oak Primary

“Lots of interesting resources to use and new resources that I would never have thought of. The children will really enjoy these activities. Thank you, I’ve really enjoyed the course!” Natalie Ralph, Little Weavers Day Nursery, Preschool Room Leader

“Lots of practical ideas. The balance with the theory was spot on. I attended this course as another memeber of staff thought your maths course was great. Clearly led by an experienced professional with a passion for what she does.” Ed Robinson, Reception Teacher, Parkroyal CP School, Macclesfield