51. Play Policy
Bonnington House Nursery’s Play Policy works in-conjunction with the nursery’s Outdoor
Play Policy.
Aims
Bonnington House Nursery values and understands the importance of play in the holistic
development of young children as they learn about the world in which they live. The ability
to play is central to learning for both cognitive and social development and is a right every
child has. Play relates to children’s behaviour that is “freely chosen, personally directed
and intrinsically motivated. It is performed for no external goal or reward and is a
fundamental and integral part of healthy development” (Play Strategy for Scotland, 2013).
Bonnington House Nursery aims to provide an environment in which the children can play
in a safe and secure setting, with practitioners who support and progress their learning.
Opportunities will be made for the children to make choices for themselves and to
experience spontaneous, unplanned activities along with planned curriculum activities.
Bonnington House Nursery understands and implements the Pre-birth to Three Curriculum
and the Curriculum for Excellence Early Years in partnership with Building the Ambition: A
National Practice Guidance on Early Learning and Childcare Children and Young People
(Scotland) Act 2014. Further, Bonnington House Nursery utilizes the Play Strategy for
Scotland (2013) document to promote learning through play, the critical importance of play
and our obligation as a nursery to protect the children’s ability to play. Staff also regularly
use and refer to the Building the Ambition document to ensure our setting is providing the
best environment and experiences for the children within our care.
We understand that “play is a life-enhancing daily experience for all children and young
people” and is important to the wellbeing of every child (Play Strategy for Scotland, 2013).
In conjunction with the Play Strategy, The Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC)
approach supports a child-centered approach to learning and development, aimed to
protect and encourage the rights of children and ensure they have the best start in life.
The nursery has the responsibility to ensure that children are allowed to play and to learn
the following skills whilst enjoying themselves:

Exploring

Investigating

Discovering

Creating

Practicing

Rehearsing

Repeating
Edinburgh Independent Nursery & Pre-Schools Ltd Company No. 7358189
Trading as “Bonnington House Nursery” 159 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 4QA
Tel. 07939 969901 [email protected]
www.bonningtonhousenursery.co.uk

Revising

Consolidating knowledge already gained
The Environment
Bonnington House Nursery has ample space for children to explore and play in, and has
displays, which are changed regularly, and plans that are adapted to follow planning and
new topics. The garden is used extensively as an extension of the classroom. The nursery
also has a Forest School on the premises as well as a second Kindergarten Forest School
location off-site. Further, the nursery has access to the local park, situated besides the
nursery. Bonnington House Nursery has an inventory of resources, which is used to review
and consider the number of toys and play facilities the nursery offers.
The Resources
The staff are creative and use household materials to enhance learning of self-discovery,
curiosity, interest and many other learning objectives that are set out in Building the
Ambition and the two curriculums used within the nursery for early years learning. These
include:

Jelly

Cornflour

Water play

Sand play

Shaving foam

Rice and pasta

Modelling clay

Playdough

Beans

Resources for cooking

Natural materials for the treasure/heuristic baskets
Evidence of Learning
Each child has an online journal where staff record a child’s progress to know what a child
can do and what skills s/he needs support with. The files also demonstrate what learning
objectives have been offered and/or achieved and allow key workers to plan effectively for
the needs of their children.
Internal use only
Edinburgh Independent Nursery & Pre-Schools Ltd Company No. 7358189
Trading as “Bonnington House Nursery” 159 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 4QA
Tel. 07939 969901 [email protected]
www.bonningtonhousenursery.co.uk
This policy was adopted on
17.08.2015
This policy was reviewed on
26.02.2016
Signed on behalf of the nursery
E. Merritt
Date disseminated to staff
01.03.2016
Date for review
26.02.2017
Edinburgh Independent Nursery & Pre-Schools Ltd Company No. 7358189
Trading as “Bonnington House Nursery” 159 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 4QA
Tel. 07939 969901 [email protected]
www.bonningtonhousenursery.co.uk