Nursery World - What is an enabling environment – and who is doing the enabling?

Is it time to reassess our view of the enabling environment? Turning the term on its head, an environment that enables is more than the adult and more than the child – it becomes a context for intent, agendas and interests, say Dr Angela Scollan and Professor Federico Farini.

Children are seen as decision makers in the context of the enabling environment. - Adobe Stock

Dr Angela Scollan Professor Frederico Farini

Since 2012, the term enabling environment has been one of four themes of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the core document that defines guidelines for pedagogical practice in English and Welsh Early Years settings.

An enabling environment is described as a rich, stimulating and safe space offering opportunities to play, to be, to learn and to explore both physically and mentally (DfE, 2021).

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