Criterion PF307#

The design and layout of any ECE activity room support effective adult supervision and facilitates a range of different types of learning experiences that are appropriate to the number, ages, abilities and specific mobility or treatment needs of the children likely to use it. 

Guidance#

How to show you are complying #

The layout and design of the environment will influence the curriculum experiences provided to children. 

The primary purpose of an activity room is to facilitate group activity and to allow for learning experiences that cannot be easily taken to the child at their bedside.

Supervision is an important element in ensuring children are safe while attending the activity room. Adults should be able to scan the environment while working alongside children.

An open layout gives children space to be active and creative and helps adults supervise effectively. Activity rooms that are irregularly shaped (perhaps because they are ‘repurposed’ spaces within a hospital, rather than purpose-built) can make supervision difficult.

Low furniture such as shelving and carpets/mats can be used to help define activity areas without restricting supervision.