“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is: Risky and open-ended play
Element 3.2.2: Resources support play-based learning
Resources, materials, and equipment allow for multiple uses, are sufficient in number, and enable every child to engage in play-based learning.
Is your environment and resources designed and set up to allow children to take appropriate risks under the supervision of educators and staff?
By encouraging children to take calculated risks, they are being given the opportunity to explore their potential and accomplish new and better achievements. As a result, fostering their development and confidence. Provide children with opportunities to identify and mitigate risk within the learning environment.
Provide resources and spaces that invite and inspire children of different ages and capabilities to engage in play including:
- Balance beams
- Climbing frames
- Monkey bars
- Exploring the natural environment, playing with sticks, rocks, climbing trees
- Rapid speed opportunities- running, jumping, swinging, sliding, biking, skipping, skating
- Providing a range of loose parts for play opportunities
- Rough and tumble play
- Learning about fire using safe fire pits
- Using tools for cutting and building- hammers, saws, scissors
- Experiences that challenge children’s individual skills and level of development
Risky play opportunities bring many benefits to children’s development, self-esteem and confidence. Services should recognise this as well as ensuring that safety remains paramount. Educators should assess the risks involved in higher risk activities and determine if the risks outweigh the benefit to children. Ensure you conduct thorough risk assessments for these activities and carefully plan to manage these risks e.g., increased supervision.
Resources:
Why risky play is important for young children
Case study 1- Standard 3.2: Use
Within System7 go to Quality Area 3/Module 10 to submit self-assessment notes and if required, open a QIP issue if you identify any areas of improvement.
The Childcare Centre Desktop has a range of risk assessment templates that can be adapted to suit your planned activity. These templates are in various locations on the website therefore the easiest way to locate what you’re after is by using the “search” tool.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links
Childcare Centre Desktop – Childcare Centre Desktop
National Quality Standard – QA 3/ 3.2.2- Resources support play-based learning
National Regulations – 73, 105, 113
System7 Module – QA 3/ Module 10
If you have any questions send us a note via the Contact page here!
