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How Playground Design Supports the Characteristics of Effective Learning in Early Years
- Feb 3
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
At The Playground Company, we design playground environments that do more than provide active play — they help nurseries and early years settings deliver meaningful learning experiences aligned with the EYFS framework (Development Matters).
Alongside the seven areas of learning, the Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL) guide how children learn. They describe the ways children engage with people, environments and experiences as they grow and develop.
A well-designed outdoor space gives children the freedom to explore, experiment and solve problems — making playground design a powerful tool for early years learning outcomes.
1) Playing and Exploring — Engagement Through Discovery
Children learn best when they are actively involved and curious about their environment. Playing and exploring means trying new things, investigating materials and engaging in experiences independently.
Outdoor playground environments naturally encourage this behaviour. When children are given varied equipment and flexible play opportunities, they begin to test ideas, experiment with movement and investigate how things work.
Playground features that support exploration:
These environments allow children to:
• Explore freely and independently
• Try out new experiences
• Make choices about how they play
• Discover cause and effect through action
By providing versatile play opportunities, settings encourage children to become confident explorers and curious learners.
2) Active Learninghttp://succeed.Equipment — Motivation and Persistence
Active learning happens when children remain motivated, concentrate on tasks and persist when challenges arise.
Playground environments naturally encourage perseverance. Children attempt to climb, balance, build and complete challenges repeatedly until they succeed. Equipment such as trail items and climbing structures allows children to set their own goals and experience achievement through effort.
Playground features supporting active learning:
These experiences help children:
• Stay focused on challenges
• Build resilience when things don’t work first time
• Experience pride in achievement
• Develop confidence through persistence
Outdoor challenges teach children that effort leads to success — a key foundation for lifelong learning.
3) Creating and Thinking Critically — Problem Solving and Innovation
Creating and thinking critically involves children developing ideas, making decisions and solving problems.
Outdoor playgrounds provide countless opportunities for children to test ideas and collaborate with others. Construction play areas, imaginative zones and flexible equipment allow children to design, build and invent their own play scenarios.
Playground features supporting critical thinking:
• Loose parts (e.g. Buildable Blocks)
These play opportunities help children:
• Generate their own ideas
• Solve problems together
• Adapt strategies during play
• Make decisions and test outcomes
This type of play strengthens creativity and logical thinking while supporting communication and teamwork skills.
Get in touch to find out how we can help you maximize your nursery garden and help to implement a curriculum that demonstrates the Characteristics if Effective Learning
