{"id":147,"date":"2025-09-27T09:32:53","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T08:32:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/sjhsblog\/?page_id=147"},"modified":"2026-09-04T15:03:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T14:03:21","slug":"our-elc-environment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/sjhsblog\/our-elc-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"Our ELC Environment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Our ELC spaces are warm, welcoming, and designed with children at the heart. Inspired by <em data-start=\"156\" data-end=\"180\">Realising the Ambition<\/em> and Care Inspectorate guidance, we create safe and nurturing environments where curiosity, independence, and play thrive. Every space reflects children\u2019s voices and ideas, helping them feel a true sense of belonging.<\/p>\n<p>Our Quiet Area has been developed with family partnerships at the forefront. With a range of books, small world toys and sensory items, it is the perfect space for children to spend time with parents\/carers and staff to support transition from home into the ELC. This space is also used for Together Time, where children can come together for for stories, rhymes and have their voices heard within larger groups.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-601\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04133554\/IMG_6790-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04133554\/IMG_6790-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04133554\/IMG_6790-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04133554\/IMG_6790-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04133554\/IMG_6790-624x468.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04133554\/IMG_6790.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Activities like cutting, painting, drawing, and moulding malleable materials strengthen small hand muscles, improve dexterity, and develop hand-eye coordination. Our Creative Zone invites children to manipulate a range of resources creatively, whilst using critical thinking, imagination and perseverance to overcome their own challenges. Invitations to play draw upon children&#8217;s interests and achievements are celebrated and shared.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-602\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134442\/IMG_6786-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134442\/IMG_6786-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134442\/IMG_6786-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134442\/IMG_6786-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134442\/IMG_6786-624x468.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134442\/IMG_6786.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-603\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134446\/IMG_6787-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134446\/IMG_6787-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134446\/IMG_6787-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134446\/IMG_6787-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134446\/IMG_6787-624x468.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134446\/IMG_6787.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-604\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134450\/IMG_6788-300x230.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134450\/IMG_6788-300x230.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134450\/IMG_6788-1024x786.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134450\/IMG_6788-768x589.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134450\/IMG_6788-624x479.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04134450\/IMG_6788.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-611\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135630\/IMG_6780-300x215.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135630\/IMG_6780-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135630\/IMG_6780-1024x735.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135630\/IMG_6780-768x551.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135630\/IMG_6780-624x448.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135630\/IMG_6780.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Role play is a vital part of our early years department. It allows children to make sense of the world in a safe, controlled environment and promotes confidence, positive social interactions, and problem-solving. Our Home Corner is a continuous resources that is always available for children to explore in. We also have a small role play area that adapts and changes with children&#8217;s interests at the time.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-605\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135128\/IMG_6781-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135128\/IMG_6781-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135128\/IMG_6781-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135128\/IMG_6781-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135128\/IMG_6781-624x780.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135128\/IMG_6781.jpg 1008w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-606\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135147\/IMG_6777-300x171.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135147\/IMG_6777-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135147\/IMG_6777-1024x584.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135147\/IMG_6777-768x438.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135147\/IMG_6777-624x356.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135147\/IMG_6777.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Spaces for scientific and sensory exploration within our ELC promotes a holistic environment that refines fine motor skills, fosters cognitive development and encourages emotional regulation. We provide a variety of spaces for children to explore textures and materials safely, whilst boosting curiosity, creativity and social interaction.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-607\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135302\/IMG_6775-300x281.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135302\/IMG_6775-300x281.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135302\/IMG_6775-1024x959.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135302\/IMG_6775-768x719.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135302\/IMG_6775-624x584.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135302\/IMG_6775.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-608\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135307\/IMG_6776-246x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"246\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135307\/IMG_6776-246x300.jpg 246w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135307\/IMG_6776-839x1024.jpg 839w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135307\/IMG_6776-768x938.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135307\/IMG_6776-624x762.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04135307\/IMG_6776.jpg 1032w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 246px) 100vw, 246px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-614\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04142408\/IMG_2981-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04142408\/IMG_2981-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04142408\/IMG_2981-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04142408\/IMG_2981-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04142408\/IMG_2981-624x468.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04142408\/IMG_2981-rotated.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-615\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04142413\/IMG_2982-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04142413\/IMG_2982-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04142413\/IMG_2982-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04142413\/IMG_2982-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04142413\/IMG_2982-624x468.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04142413\/IMG_2982-rotated.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Outdoor play and learning naturally supports all areas of children&#8217;s development simultaneously and is therefore an incredibly important part of our ELC. Children have daily free flow access to our outdoor area as well as weekly opportunities to explore our local community all together.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-621\" style=\"font-size: 1rem\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144649\/IMG_2985-1-300x132.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144649\/IMG_2985-1-300x132.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144649\/IMG_2985-1-1024x449.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144649\/IMG_2985-1-768x337.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144649\/IMG_2985-1-624x274.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144649\/IMG_2985-1.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 1rem\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-619\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144409\/IMG_2986-1-300x115.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144409\/IMG_2986-1-300x115.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144409\/IMG_2986-1-1024x392.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144409\/IMG_2986-1-768x294.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144409\/IMG_2986-1-624x239.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144409\/IMG_2986-1.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> \u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-620\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144646\/IMG_2984-1-300x100.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144646\/IMG_2984-1-300x100.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144646\/IMG_2984-1-1024x340.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144646\/IMG_2984-1-768x255.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144646\/IMG_2984-1-624x207.jpg 624w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/public\/sjhsblog\/uploads\/sites\/3645\/2026\/09\/04144646\/IMG_2984-1.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our ELC spaces are warm, welcoming, and designed with children at the heart. Inspired by Realising the Ambition and Care Inspectorate guidance, we create safe and nurturing environments where curiosity, independence, and play thrive. Every space reflects children\u2019s voices and ideas, helping them feel a true sense of belonging. Our Quiet Area has been developed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1631,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-147","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/sjhsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/147","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/sjhsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/sjhsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/sjhsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1631"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/sjhsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=147"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/sjhsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/147\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":624,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/sjhsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/147\/revisions\/624"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sh\/sjhsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}