• Quick Order
  • Wishlists
  • 0
    £0.00 ex VAT
Back
Menu
Close
Shop early years essentials
Shop everything you need for your early years setting with our handpicked collection of essentials.
Shop now
100s of new and exciting early years products
Refresh your early years settings with 100s of new and exciting early years products to choose from.
Shop now
Sign up to little learners for free
Subscribe to Little Learners, our free early years magazine packed full of ideas and inspiration to help your setting flourish.
Subscribe now
SEN range
Create nurturing and inspiring spaces with our SEN range of products, handpicked to support key development.
Shop now
Shop the YPO range and find what you need for less
Switch and save with our YPO range, with hundreds of products to choose from.
Shop now
Community Playthings collection at YPO
Our Community Playthings range is 100% designed and manufactured in the UK. Each purchase includes tool-free assembly, a 15-year warranty, and a two-week delivery lead time.
Shop now
Shop the cosy collection at YPO
We're excited to be working in partnership with Cosy, a renowned supplier of high quality and imaginative products. Shop the full collection!
Shop now
  • Cart with cleaning supplies Facilities Management

    Essential services to help keep your school running smoothly.

  • Students receiving food Food and Catering

    Everything you need for your school meals and catering requirements.

  • Students in class Furniture

    Helping you create inspiring spaces.

  • Students using a computer ICT

    Technology and communications to help you stay connected and current.

  • Person using a laptop Professional Services

    Supporting your people and professional services.

  • Bus Driver Transport

    Help get your students from A to B.

  • Technician fixing light fixture Utilities

    Review your energy contracts to help save money.

It's now even easier to choose your exercise books
Find your exercise books in no time with our new exercise book selector. Pick your size, ruling, colour, and number of pages, then simply add to basket!
Shop now
Always in stock essentials
Explore our large range of always available products and get what you need, when you need it.
Shop now
SEN range
Create nurturing and inspiring spaces with our SEN range of products, handpicked to support key development.
Shop now
Making life easier for MATs across the country
Explore the benefits YPO can provide to Academies and Multi Academy Trusts across the country.
Find out more
Shop the YPO range and find what you need for less
Switch and save with our YPO range, with hundreds of products to choose from.
Shop now
Shop the cosy collection at YPO
We're excited to be working in partnership with Cosy, a renowned supplier of high quality and imaginative products. Shop the full collection!
Shop now
  • Cart with cleaning supplies Facilities Management

    Essential services to help keep your school running smoothly.

  • Students receiving food Food and Catering

    Everything you need for your school meals and catering requirements.

  • Students in class Furniture

    Helping you create inspiring spaces.

  • Students using a computer ICT

    Technology and communications to help you stay connected and current.

  • Person using a laptop Professional Services

    Supporting your people and professional services.

  • Bus Driver Transport

    Help get your students from A to B.

  • Technician fixing light fixture Utilities

    Review your energy contracts to help save money.

It's now even easier to choose your exercise books
Find your exercise books in no time with our new exercise book selector. Pick your size, ruling, colour, and number of pages, then simply add to basket!
Shop now
Always in stock essentials
Explore our large range of always available products and get what you need, when you need it.
Shop now
Making life easier for MATs across the country
Explore the benefits YPO can provide to Academies and Multi Academy Trusts across the country.
Find out more
Shop the YPO range and find what you need for less
Switch and save with our YPO range, with hundreds of products to choose from.
Shop now
  • Construction worker Buildings and Construction

    Our expert team can help with building, construction, repairs and alterations. Browse our frameworks.

  • Meeting Corporate and Financial Services

    Help to increase efficiencies and provide better support to your people.

  • Energy frameworks YPO Energy

    Find ways to reduce your energy consumption with our energy team.

  • Cleaning equipment Facilities and Waste Management

    Providing safe and cost effective working environments.

  • Fleet of white vans Fleet

    Whether you're looking for fleet hire or purchase, speak to our specialist team.

  • food and catering worker cooking Food and Catering

    Ordering food and catering couldn't be simpler with our UK Food Deal.

  • food and catering worker cooking Furniture

    Create environments that are tailored to your unique needs.

  • fleet and highways worker Highways

    Providing specialist industry knowledge to help meet your needs.

  • Corporate meeting HR and People

    Our team are here to help with all of your recruitment and training.

  • Woman using technology Technology and Communication

    We can help you source cost-effective solutions with a range of frameworks.

Simplify your food waste management
YPO's food waste management frameworks have been created to support local authorities on their journey of food waste separation to reduce landfill emissions. Find out more here.
Find out more
Explore our energy updates
We know that securing energy contracts can be a complex and difficult process, but we are here to help you. Explore our Energy Hub to find help and guidance, latest updates and more.
Explore now
Winter essentials products
Explore winter maintenance essentials and discover a range of products to combat the winter weather, from salt and grit to thermal workwear.
Shop now
Prize Freeze Extended
Discover prices frozen on 50 school essentials, with prices guaranteed until Spring 2025. Get stocked up on your classroom essentials for less, and help support the NSPCC with every purchase!
Shop now
Price drops at YPO
Discover 1000s of products dropped and locked until 2025! Shop now!
Shop now
Bulk discounts, stock up and save
Stock up and save with our selection of bulk discount options on a range of popular products, from furniture to paper and more.
Shop now
New in products
Kit out your classroom and shop 100s of new products at great value prices.
Shop now
Clearance range
Once they're gone... they're gone! Shop clearance here and save on a range of essentials.
Shop now
YPO classpacks, buy more for less
Make your budget go further with our collection of classpacks, and save on a range of classroom essentials.
Shop now
Shop the YPO range and find what you need for less
Switch and save with our YPO range, with hundreds of products to choose from.
Shop now
Products
Close
Frameworks
Close
  • Construction worker Buildings and Construction

    Our expert team can help with building, construction, repairs and alterations. Browse our frameworks.

  • Meeting Corporate and Financial Services

    Help to increase efficiencies and provide better support to your people.

  • Energy frameworks YPO Energy

    Find ways to reduce your energy consumption with our energy team.

  • Cleaning equipment Facilities and Waste Management

    Providing safe and cost effective working environments.

  • Fleet of white vans Fleet

    Whether you're looking for fleet hire or purchase, speak to our specialist team.

  • food and catering worker cooking Food and Catering

    Ordering food and catering couldn't be simpler with our UK Food Deal.

  • food and catering worker cooking Furniture

    Create environments that are tailored to your unique needs.

  • fleet and highways worker Highways

    Providing specialist industry knowledge to help meet your needs.

  • Corporate meeting HR and People

    Our team are here to help with all of your recruitment and training.

  • Woman using technology Technology and Communication

    We can help you source cost-effective solutions with a range of frameworks.

Outdoor play in early years has many benefits, including developing social skills, connecting with the living environment and promoting physical wellbeing. But how do settings deliver these opportunities and embrace outdoor learning when space is at a premium? It's all about being clever with the space that you have got! Here are five activities that will allow you to embrace the outdoors in your setting without taking up all of your space...

1. Create a reading nook 

Increased pupil engagement, focus, and concentration are just some of the many benefits reading brings to children, so why not take it outdoors and create your own reading nook? Reading nooks are the perfect, cosy environments for reading and reflection, and they can be as large or as small as you like! Your reading nook can be as simple as a blanket on the grass, some outdoor cushions, or even a tree branch with colourful ribbons hung to it.  

Child in reading nook

What you'll need:
D79424 – Reading Nook

2. Take play trays outside 

A play tray is a staple for any early years space and taking them outdoors only widens the possibilities for more play tray fun! Play trays can be easily stored away and transported, meaning you won't have to reserve a permanent space outdoors for them to be part of your outdoor lessons. 

Adult and child using play tray

What you'll need:
D77238 – Tuff Tray Activity Table – Toddler 
D77239 – Tuff Tray Activity Table – Preschool

3. Engage in water play fun 

Children love playing with water, and it's a super versatile and readily available resource! Whether you add water to your play trays, bring out the magic spray bottles, or have a go at water painting, a twist on traditional painting, there's so much you can do when you're struggling for space. One water related activity we love in particular that's space optimised is water walls! When using water walls, children develop essential motor skills and practice problem solving skills as they try different ways of pouring water and watching it trickle down the tubes. Splish, splash, splosh! 

Children using water wall

What you'll need:
D45497 – Water Wall

4. Make a minibeast hotel 

Minibeast hotels are great for urban spaces, where the natural habitat may be limited, and for those short of space. They teach children about wildlife conservation and nature and offer shelter for insects such as bees, giving them a place to visit and stay to do the all important work of pollinating flowers—a win-win for all! 

Child playing

What you'll need:
D79429 – Bug Hotel With Planter Base

5. Seek out adjustable equipment

Climbing frames and other outdoor physical development equipment can sometimes be a nuisance when it comes to space saving. However, there are some pieces of equipment that can be reconfigured into different shapes depending on space and adjusted to accommodate different levels of risk and age ranges. Adjustable equipment is always a great option, as you can install it in a way that fits perfectly for your individual setting. 

Child on climbing set

What you'll need:
D59312 – Adventure Climbing Set 

This article has been taken from our latest early years magazine, Little Learners. For more inspirational early years content like this, you can subscribe to receive our magazine for FREE or find out more on our Little Learners homepage.

 
No Image Available
Author

Millhouse