Equipment and Resources Policy

Statement of intent

We believe that high quality early years care and education are promoted by providing children with safe, clean, attractive, developmentally appropriate resources, toys and equipment.

Aim

We aim to provide children with resources and equipment that help to consolidate and extend their knowledge, skills, interests and aptitudes.

Methods

In order to achieve this aim we:

• provide play equipment and resources that are safe and - where applicable -conform to the BSEN safety standards or Toys (Safety) Regulation (1995);
• provide a sufficient quantity of equipment and resources for the number of children;
• provide resources that  promote all areas of children's learning and development, which may be child or adult led;
• select books, equipment and resources that promote positive images of people of all colours, cultures and abilities, are non-discriminatory and avoid racial and gender stereotyping;
• provide play equipment and resources that promote continuity and progression, provide sufficient challenge and meet the needs and interests of all children;
• provide made, natural and recycled materials that are clean, in good condition and safe for the children to use;
• provide furniture that is suitable for children and furniture that is suitable for adults;
• store and display resources and equipment where children can independently choose and select them;
• regularly check all resources and equipment that are available at each session and ensure they are put away at the end of each session. We repair and clean, or replace, any unsafe, worn out, dirty or damaged equipment;
• keep an inventory of resources and equipment. 
• use the inventory to: 
  - review the balance of resources and equipment so that they can support a range of activities across all areas of play, learning and development; 
  - record the dates and results of checking the resources and equipment;
  - record the date when any item is discarded due to being worn out, damaged or unsafe;
  - provide adequate insurance cover for the setting's resources and equipment.
• use the local library and toy library to introduce new books and a variety of resources    to support children's interests;
• plan the provision of activities and appropriate resources so that a balance of familiar equipment and resources and new exciting challenges is offered.