Our play philosophy
Why open ended play?
Freedom to Explore
Children learn without limits, discovering multiple answers through creativity and curiosity.
Imaginative Play
They follow their own passions, using imagination to guide their learning journey.
Endless Possibilities
With open-ended resources, play evolves naturally, supported by staff to extend learning.
Our core service
Freedom to think, room to grow
In an open-ended environment, children are free to explore without being limited by strict rules or fixed outcomes. Instead of being guided toward a single ‘right’ answer, they’re encouraged to think creatively, try different approaches, and discover what works for them.
This kind of freedom nurtures problem-solving, resilience, and independent thinking — because there’s often more than one way to reach a solution, and every child’s path to discovery is unique.
Following their instincts
Curiosity-led, imagination-fuelled
The children are given the opportunity to follow their own creative instinct in a way that satisfies their curiosity. We aim for each child to use their own passions and imagination as they move freely around the environment.
Appletree Nurseries makes numerous open ended rescources that can be used in limitless ways, from messy play to small worlds. Staff also provide follow on activities to build on their learning, linked with their interests and developmental needs