Play Statement

Brighton Nursery Play Statement

Brighton Nursery recognises the importance of all children having sufficient time and space to play freely as part of their day. Playing contributes to children’s learning and their ability to learn as well as their health, wellbeing and happiness. We offer play opportunities for children that support children’s wellbeing indicators – being safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included.

We aim to make a positive contribution to children’s lives by providing a broad range of play opportunities. Children will naturally create and/or seek out challenging situations.

At Brighton Nursery we recognise that children need a degree of risk, challenge and adventure in order to grow and develop. We also recognise that any potential risk of harm to children needs to be balanced with the benefits that may come from playing. We believe that adults’ attitude towards, and understanding of children’s play, will have a significant effect on the quality of the play opportunities offered in nursery. Our staff are confident to facilitate children’s freely chosen, self-directed play.

We understand that children need and want to take risks when they play. We fully promote children to take risks, safely and under close supervision. A child is unlikely to attempt any form of risky play that they feel uncomfortable with (e.g. a child would be unlikely to climb a tree if they did not think they could). Through taking risks whilst playing, children learn how to manage risk, which helps them to stay safe.