When assessing whether you comply with PF302

Questions we are likely to ask

• How do you make sure children have timely access to equipment and other materials in your service?
• How do you make sure that you have a sufficient quantity and range of equipment appropriate to the learning challenges, experiences and opportunities of all children?

We are likely to look at, measure or count 

• The quantity and range of outdoor and indoor furniture, equipment and materials available to children.
• If children waiting for long periods to access equipment.
• How the furniture, materials and equipment support children’s abilities, learning experiences, and their current and emerging interests.

The tools below are here to support you, but you do not have to use them. You can use other tools or methods that work better for your service.

Examples of open-ended resources include:

• blocks or loose parts
• cardboard boxes
• art supplies
• sand and water.

Equipment lists

Children learn by interacting with people, places and things.  The furniture, equipment and resources provided to children impacts on their learning, and how they view themselves and others as capable and competent learners. 

Doing more than the minimum can shape better outcomes for children. Here are some ideas or examples you might like to consider.

Do the furniture, equipment and materials in your service:

• reflect cultural differences at the service
• reflect the bicultural nature of Te Whāriki
• promote and protect written and spoken language
• support parent’s aspirations for their children’s learning
• open-ended equipment that can be used in a variety of ways is usually a good investment
• promote inclusivity and avoid gender bias?

It is a good idea to consider a balance between natural products and man-made equipment and materials. 

Plastics products are usually cheaper and easy to clean, but they do not usually last as long or have the same aesthetic appeal as products made from natural materials. 

You can include areas where: 

• children can play together
• places where they can play quietly on their own
• cozy, calm areas.

Outdoor equipment

If there is an outdoor play area provided for children in a hospital-based setting, the service will need to consider the type of outdoor equipment to provide.