Better play          

The Scrapstore PlayPod introduces loose parts into schools and early years settings to transform playtimes. 

 

Children’s Scrapstore provides a huge range of scrap materials (cardboard tubes, tyres, netting, ropes, crates, bins, fabric, clothing, boxes, carpet tiles, foam, keyboards, phones… the list is varied and endless!) to extend the possibilities of play for all children.

Scrap, or loose parts, are not prescriptive, they come with no set purpose. Children’s inventiveness and creativity results in them using the items in endlessly different and imaginative ways. Playing with loose parts on a large scale, enables children of all ages, genders, and abilities to play together.

The more choice, variety, and freedom children have, the better the play experience. Our Scrapstore PlayPod programme supports the whole school community to develop the play opportunities available to children at lunchtime.

Through consultancy, training, and ongoing mentoring we empower and support staff to create an environment that balances risk and challenge with the many benefits children get from play.

Installing a Scrapstore PlayPod can have numerous benefits for children and adults including:

  • Improvements in behaviour and a reduction of incidents and accidents

  • Utilisation of the resources for positive classroom learning

  • Children’s perceptions of the school day improve

  • More confident and motivated staff

The Scrapstore PlayPod has changed the behaviour of children at school quite voluntarily allowing the children to exercise more choice and independence, take greater risks, problem solve and have much more fun through imaginative and creative play. This has invigorated many of the staff in their jobs, bringing new motivations and excitement about their work and its impact.
— Head Teacher
On the playground, a recently introduced ‘scrap store’ called the Play Pod has been remarkably successful. In fact, pupils say that it has ‘revolutionised’ the way that they play and behave outside. At lunchtimes, pupils are able to play with all manner of fascinating equipment sourced from harmless scrap materials, such as old netting, tyres or cardboard rolls. The ingenuity and imagination they employ when using this equipment is fantastic to see. Consequently, pupils are kept productively occupied, and get on well with others, as they play and explore outside.
— Ofsted report extract

See it in action! Click below to see our PlayPod Films.

Introduction to PlayPods:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUCXDNVFEkg

PlayPods in Action:

https://youtu.be/nqi1KyJJeKg

Early years Scrapstore PlayPod:

https://youtu.be/laFA9QqPP14