By BEST Childcare Consulting
The environments we create for children under five are not simply “backdrops” for play—they are active participants in children’s learning journeys. The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) reminds us that children learn best in spaces that foster belonging, encourage exploration, and inspire curiosity. When thoughtfully designed, both indoor classrooms and outdoor playgrounds become places where imagination thrives and learning comes alive. Could your play space do with an upgrade?
Why is play space environment considered educational?
Educators often say “the environment is the third teacher.” Carefully designed play spaces spark children’s wonder, encourage collaboration, and invite problem-solving. From cosy corners that nurture belonging, to open outdoor areas that support physical confidence, every detail matters. When children feel secure and respected within their environment, they are more likely to explore, take risks, and extend their own learning.
What about safety vs challenge?
Safety is non-negotiable, but safe doesn’t mean static. Play spaces should offer graduated challenges—climbing structures that promote gross-motor skills, loose parts that invite creativity, and quiet nooks for reflection and self-regulation. These opportunities extend on children’s learning, supporting outcomes across all five EYLF Learning Outcomes: identity, community, wellbeing, learning, and communication.
What is an inclusive play space?
Inclusive play spaces cater for all ages, abilities, and cultures by offering a mix of zones—quiet areas, imaginative play, and challenging gross-motor activities—scaled appropriately for different developmental stages. Universal access features like ramps, wide paths, and multi-sensory resources ensure every child can participate meaningfully, while cultural respect is shown through Aboriginal perspectives, multicultural resources, and family involvement in design. Together, these choices create environments where every child feels represented, valued, and able to thrive.
Does it always need to be expensive?
Not every transformation needs to happen at once. Progressive upgrades allow services to evolve play spaces over time in a cost-effective, sustainable way. By prioritising durable, low-maintenance materials and modular designs, services can ensure that improvements are long-lasting and adaptable to children’s changing needs.
What are the essential Play Space Areas for Early Childhood Education?
When designing play spaces for children under five, the key is to ensure variety, accessibility, and progression—so children can move between active, quiet, imaginative, and exploratory experiences. Below is a breakdown of core play space areas that most high-quality early learning services include, aligned with EYLF and NQS expectations.
Nature & Sensory Areas
- Gardens, sandpits, mud kitchens, and water play tables.
- Sensory pathways (textures like bark, pebbles, stepping stones).
- Loose natural parts (sticks, rocks, shells, leaves) to encourage creativity.
Links: Mud Kitchen Ideas – Play Australia
Cubbies & Hideaways
- Tents, huts, nooks, or cubby houses for private, imaginative play.
- Spaces where children can retreat for self-regulation.
Example: Inspiring Cubby Spaces – Community Playthings AU
Climbing & Gross Motor
- Low climbing structures, ladders, nets, and embankments.
- Opportunities for upper body strength, problem solving, and confidence building.
Balancing & Coordination
- Balance beams, stepping logs, wobble bridges, planks.
- Helps build vestibular and proprioceptive skills.
Template: Nature Play WA Balancing Ideas
Creative & Artistic Zones
- Easel and mural walls, chalkboards, or outdoor painting panels.
- Loose parts for building sculptures.
- Open-ended art corners (atelier).
Sliding, Swinging & Spinning
- Slides, rope swings, hammocks, or spinners (age-appropriate).
- Develops core strength, balance, and risk assessment.
STEM & Construction Areas
- Outdoor block play (large wooden blocks, crates, tyres).
- Tinker tables with recycled materials.
- Loose parts construction—pipes, tubes, planks.
Example: Loose Parts Play Ideas – Early Childhood Australia
Quiet & Wellbeing Corners
- Soft furnishings, cushions, shady trees, or reading nooks.
- Places for children to calm down, self-regulate, or enjoy quiet conversation.
Dramatic & Role Play
- Outdoor kitchens, pretend shops, dress-up stations.
- Mirrors, props, and open-ended play materials.
- Encourages communication, collaboration, and imagination.
Cultural & Inclusive Features
- Multicultural garden beds (herbs/vegetables from different cultures).
- Indigenous bush tucker plants, art, and storytelling circles.
- Accessible paths and inclusive equipment for all abilities.
Example: Inclusive Playground Design – Play Australia
Quick Summary ideas for Categories
- Nature & Sensory – gardens, mud kitchens, sand/water play
- Cubbies & Hideaways – huts, tents, quiet nooks
- Climbing & Gross Motor – climbing frames, nets, ladders
- Balancing & Coordination – logs, beams, stepping stones
- Creative Arts – painting, music, loose art zones
- Slides, Swings, Spinners – vestibular experiences
- STEM & Construction – blocks, pipes, recycled parts
- Quiet & Wellbeing Corners – reading, resting, calming areas
- Dramatic Play – kitchens, shops, props
- Cultural & Inclusive – bush tucker, multicultural gardens, accessible play
BEST Tip: Use a “zoning” approach—balancing active vs. quiet, messy vs. clean, natural vs. structured. This supports transitions, reduces behavioural issues, and creates a rich environment for exploration.
Resources and links to design your play space
Create the Perfect Play Space (PDF Guide)
- A comprehensive resource by Child Australia designed to support Australian childcare services in aligning environments with National Quality Standards and EYLF. Packed with hands-on suggestions like using natural light through prisms, calm colour palettes, well-defined learning zones, and creative loose-part setups like cubbies, tunnels, and wind chimes. Excellent for mindful, inclusive re-design. ACECQA
Flexible, Responsive Play Environments
- From Aussie Childcare Network: advocate using open-ended, flexible resources—loose parts like fabrics, natural objects, blocks—for dynamic play that honors evolving interests and developmental stages. Aussie Childcare Network
Nature-Rich Outdoor Playgrounds
- Encourage natural elements and sensory experiences through wood-based, sustainable play structures made in Australia. Examples include Play Workshop’s timber playgrounds that engage not just physically, but also cognitively and environmentally. Play Workshop
- AG Playscapes also offers themed modular playground elements—cubbies, forts, bike tracks, shade structures—designed for preschoolers. AG Playscapes
Thoughtful Built Environments
- Architecture plays a powerful role: 77 Architecture’s childcare designs focus on natural light, indoor-outdoor connectivity, acoustic considerations, and flexible layout to support calm and purposeful spaces. Brisbane | Architects | 77 Architecture
Reggio-Inspired Indoor Design
- Inspired by Reggio Emilia, emphasize environments as the “third teacher”: integrate natural light, plants, accessible documentation (children’s work, photographs), open studio areas (atelier), and seamless indoor-outdoor connections to foster exploration and visual storytelling. Wikipedia
EYLF aligned planning
- Twinkl’s EYLF-Aligned Planning Templates: Includes editable indoor area planners, learning station setups, observation templates, and more. Great for intentionally mapping your space to EYLF Learning Outcomes. Twinkl+1
EYLF templates
- Aussie Childcare Network EYLF Templates: Offers a wide selection of documentation tools like curriculum plans, learning stories, child portfolios, outdoor safety checklists, and more. Aussie Childcare Network+1
Next Steps for Services
- Reflect: Gather educator, child, and family voices about what works well and what could improve.
- Plan: Map out short-term and long-term goals for outdoor spaces.
- Prioritise: Start with small, achievable upgrades that align with your service philosophy and EYLF goals.
- Review: Continuously evaluate how the environment supports children’s engagement, wellbeing, and learning.
BEST Childcare Consulting
At BEST, we believe play spaces are more than furniture and equipment—they are living environments that shape children’s belonging, being, and becoming. Our team can guide your service to design safe, inclusive, and inspiring play spaces that reflect your philosophy, meet the National Quality Standard, and delight children and families.
Whether you’re planning a full upgrade or looking for budget-conscious improvements staged over time, BEST can help you create environments that truly act as the “third teacher.”
Contact us TODAY.
