Loose Parts and Block Play in Early Years

Discover how to confidently introduce and extend loose parts and block play in early years settings, supporting creativity, problem-solving, and child-led learning across all areas of the curriculum.

Why This Course Matters

Supports Holistic Development

Learn how block play and loose parts foster physical, social, cognitive, and emotional growth through child-led exploration, strengthening resilience, problem-solving, and confidence.

Links Play to Curriculum Goals

Understand how open-ended play connects to early years outcomes, including literacy, maths, STEM, wellbeing, and expressive arts, all through natural, hands-on experiences.

Empowers Practitioners with Practical Strategies

Gain clear guidance on introducing materials safely, setting up engaging environments, and observing schemas to extend children’s learning meaningfully in everyday nursery practice.

Course Information

How To
Course Modules
Duration
Assessments
Disclaimer

Step 1
Click the 'Launch Course' button to begin your learning journey. Work through all the course content at your own pace, ensuring you fully understand each section. Don’t forget to complete and pass each module’s assessment. Once you’ve successfully completed all the modules, your course progress will show as 100% completed.

Step 2
Congratulations on completing the course! Your next step is to click the 'Feedback Form' button. Take a moment to share your thoughts on the course. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us continuously improve the learning experience for future users.

Step 3
You’ve now unlocked your personalised certificate! Click the 'View Certificate' button below to access and download your certificate. Celebrate your achievement by sharing it with your employer or adding it to your professional records.

This course is designed to take approximately 30 minutes to complete, though the actual time may vary depending on how deeply you engage with the material. Everyone learns at their own pace, so take the time you need to fully understand each concept.


To get the most out of this course, focus on absorbing the content rather than rushing through it. Reflect on the material, take notes, and think about how you can apply these insights to your daily practice. Meaningful learning is about understanding and growth, not just finishing quickly.

To successfully complete this course, you’ll need to achieve a score of 80% or higher on the final assessments at the end of each module. This course has 1 module so there is 1 assessment. The landing page of each assessment will give further details. This pass mark ensures that you’ve understood the core concepts and are prepared to confidently apply them in practice.

You’re not limited to a single attempt - feel free to take the assessments as many times as you need to achieve your best result. Each assessment includes built-in feedback to help you reflect on your answers and deepen your understanding.

If you encounter any questions or need additional support, our experienced team is here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance or clarification as you progress through the course. Remember, the assessments are designed to support your learning journey, not to cause stress. Take your time and aim for mastery!
All our courses are regularly reviewed and updated to align with the latest statutory guidance, legislation, and best practices in early years education. However, it is the responsibility of individual practitioners and organisations to ensure the training meets the specific requirements of their Local Authority or regulatory body. Local policies and procedures may differ, and additional training may be required to fully comply with their standards.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the course content, we cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors resulting from practitioners misinterpreting or failing to apply the guidance provided. Practitioners are expected to act within the boundaries of their role and adhere to professional and organisational guidelines at all times.

We maintain the integrity and validity of our courses by continually updating content to reflect changes in legislation, policies, and procedures. This course also includes public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, ensuring the information is accurate, accessible, and credible.

Module 1: Understanding Loose Parts and Block Play

This module introduces both loose parts play and block play, combining theory with practical application. You’ll explore what these play types are, why they matter in early childhood development, and how to use them to support creativity, independence, collaboration, and problem-solving. The module also covers how both approaches link with schema theory, promote child-led learning, and can be safely embedded into everyday practice.

Module 2: Creating Inspiring Play Environments and Curriculum Links

This module focuses on how to create enabling environments and integrate both loose parts and block play into your setting. You’ll explore how to link both play types to the early years curriculum, support deeper learning through observation, and reflect on practice using real-world case studies. This module also includes a knowledge check to consolidate your learning.

Our students love us  

"This course completely transformed how I approach meal planning for young children. I now feel confident creating menus that promote health and meet individual needs."
— Sarah M.
"The content was clear and practical, helping me understand the impact of nutrition on child development. Highly recommend it to all early years professionals!"
— James L.