How do you create a quality learning environment? Gill Farnworth, head teacher of Westfield Nursery School, Stoke-on-Trent, explains the approach of her staff team.

The EYFS has brought a welcome focus to the 'learning environment', with four of the 16 Principles into Practice cards grouped together under 'Enabling Environments'. A well-planned, well-resourced and well-supported environment can deliver all the outcomes for children as intended under the new framework, and it is something that we strive to create for the children at our school.

We are a 40-place nursery school in Stoke-on-Trent, serving children who come from a wide range of cultural and economic backgrounds and whose attainment on admission is below expected levels for children of this age, particularly in their communication skills. Almost a third of the children come from minority ethnic backgrounds and speak English as a second language, and an average number of children have learning difficulties or disabilities.

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