As experts in the playground industry, we understand the importance of play in promoting the development of young children and linking to the early years curriculum. The UK Government’s emphasis on supporting activities 
with the 7 key areas of learning is a crucial step towards creating a well-rounded educational experience for Early Years children. When selecting the best outdoor equipment for EYFS, it is essential to choose items that not only engage children in play but also support their growth across the areas of development. Join us as we explore several types of outdoor play equipment and discover how they can effectively enhance the 7 Areas of Learning in your playground.
Communication & Language
By providing interactive and engaging tools a playground can create an encouraging environment for children to develop their communication skills. These resources not only encourage social interaction and teamwork but also stimulate creativity and critical thinking, supporting a solid foundation for effective communication and language.
Enhance communication and outdoor learning in your early years setting with our wide selection of Activity Panels designed to engage young minds and promote interaction. Alternatively jump into imaginative play with our superb Messy Kitchens, encouraging language skills through sensory exploration and collaborative learning experiences for your early years children. Finally, do not miss the inspiring Storyteller Chair, a must-have for encouraging a love for reading and enhancing speech skills. Advance your learning environment with these exceptional resources that inspire communication growth.
Physical Development
Encouraging an active lifestyle for EYFS children is essential, especially considering a child’s natural abundance of energy. Building up stamina, strength, balance, and agility is vital for overall development, and it is fundamental to carefully select the appropriate equipment to support and enhance their physical abilities.
Boost physical growth in your early years’ environment with our varied selection of Pick Up Sticks, including the Pick-Up Sticks 0,1,2 &15. These outdoor climbing structures are constructed to promote grip and grasp, coordination, stability, team works and thrill for little adventurers.
Alternatively, our Moveable Trails are excellent for physical activity, specially designed to develop early years children’s balance, co-ordination, and agility as well as physical development. The moveable structures allow children to create their own trails, sparking creativity.
Our Young Explorer Towers are also excellent for promoting physical development in an early years setting. Designed with an emphasis on maximising play value and incorporating a wide range of physical challenges, these structures are dynamic enough to challenge children of all abilities as well as being fun and engaging… letting them explore their adventurous side in the safety of your playground!
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Sending your child to an early year setting is a significant milestone in their development. It is a time when they begin to explore their independence and social skills, laying the foundation for their personal, social, and emotional development. These influential years play a fundamental role in shaping their future relationships and interactions with others. At nursery or pre-school, toddlers are provided with a nurturing environment where they can learn, grow, and flourish, preparing them for the exciting journey ahead.
Encouraging interaction through playing is important as children begin to learn negotiation skills, team work and speech is developed and learning through play with the use of outdoor play equipment.
Our range of Gameboard Tables are an excellent resource to encourage personal, social, and emotional skills and create a way to explore different games outdoors and encourage children to play with each other, encouraging 
healthy competition. The Gameboard Tables also provide outdoor seating for any school playground.
Musical instruments are essential for boosting a child’s sensory development, promoting self-expression and creativity, and improving social skills. They are a key component in a child’s playground of growth and learning. Similarly, our Dens and Playhouses are a fantastic resource for personal, social, and emotional development. They help facilitate role play, imaginative play and encourages children to communicate with each other.
Literacy/Mathematics
Literacy and Mathematics are crucial subjects that promote essential skills such as effective communication, critical thinking, and the ability to understand and use numbers and letters.
Discover a wide range of outdoor activities that integrate mathematics and literacy by exploring our lesson ideas blog suitable for any age groups, discovering how to create a stimulating environment while learning outdoors.
Our Water Play range, such as water tables and pulleys, stand out as a must-have resource for any EYFS playground. Not only does it provide endless fun with water, but it also encourages engaging discussions and promotes essential mathematical skills, teachers and practitioners have an array of learning opportunities. Equally our Sand Play equipment, such as sand pits and sandy lodges, also encourage conversations between children and allows children to use their imagination which is an excellent addition to any EYFS setting and promotes learning and development. Water Play and Sand Play are also excellent for sensory play for any early year’s outdoor playground and nurseries, encouraging learning and development for any age.
Finally, our extensive range of Playground Markings are a wonderful asset to an EYFS play space (or any play space for that matter!) as not only do they brighten up a playground, but also offer a wide range of learning opportunities and create a stimulating environment for early years children.
Expressive Arts and Design
Encouraging children to let loose with their creativity and artistic talents is important for various areas of development. By offering outdoor play equipment suitable for an EYFS outdoor area that doubles as tools for artistic expression, such as mark making boards, musical instruments, or stages, early years children can explore and showcase their creativity in a fun and engaging manner.
These creative outlets help to encourage self-expression and promote cognitive development and problem-solving skills.
A fantastic example of equipment for expressive are our range of Mark Making Panels designed for developing fine motor skills and a gateway to a world of creativity and self-expression. These panels are carefully created to not only strengthen grip and grasp, gross motor skills and ignite the creativity, allowing them to unleash their artistic talents without any boundaries. 
Our popular Trapezium Stage provide interactive structures for children to work in teams to collaborate and communicate. It serves as a platform for individuals to express themselves creatively and confidently, fostering a supportive environment for personal growth and development. Experience the power of teamwork, self-expression, and boosted confidence on our trapezium stage.
Understanding the World
Children’s natural curiosity and sense of wonder make the world an exciting and enchanting place for them. A playground provides the perfect environment to nurture this curiosity and encourage exploration. Whether your outdoor space is big or small, it offers endless opportunities for children to learn and grow, developing essential life skills along the way.
An excellent example for children to delve deeper into their environment are the Bug Magnifier Posts, these encourage children to get up and close to nature and observe mini beasts and bugs!
Alternatively, our Planters allow children to plant, dig and grow! Getting them interested in the life cycle of plants and the plethora of amazing wildlife that will visit, while also encouraging sensory play and messy play. Our Planters also develop key skills such as speaking, listening and team-work skills in a messy play environment which helps children learn to share, take turns, lead, and follow instructions. Using their own imagination, the children speech skills are broadened as they describe what they are making.
How Can Fawns Help? 
If you would like to discuss a project or have any further questions regarding play equipment, from a climbing frame to water play, feel free to contact us on 01252 515199 or sales@fawns.co.uk.
Alternatively, if you would like to request a brochure to take a look through our play equipment simply click here to complete a form or feel free to have a look through our website at our amazing product range!
Finally, if you would like to contact us through our website and arrange a free, no obligation site visit; click here to complete the ‘Contact Us’ form.
Other blogs you may be interested in
How to spend your Early Years Pupil Premium Funding
Nursery outdoor play equipment your EYFS children will love!
Outdoor lesson ideas using playground equipment
