We wanted to try something different and came up with the idea of having a launderette. The project started with a discussion on how and why we have to wash clothes - for example, when children have accidents with food or paint.
We had a number of large boxes lying around the nursery and used these to make the washing machines. I covered them with white paper and cut out a large round hole for the door. We had also been collecting different coloured bottle tops and used these for the buttons.
Our three- and four-year-olds had a wonderful time making things to bring the launderette to life. They wrote out some signs, with a little help, which included a price list, opening times, a welcome note and a lost property sign. We bought a child-sized ironing board and washing basket, and parents brought in empty washing-up powder boxes. At the front of our launderette I set up a table with a till, Yellow Pages and a comment book.
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