How to Design a Soft Play Area in a Nursery or School Room
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Quick answer: To design a soft play area in a nursery or school room, pick a corner that staff can see from the rest of the room, away from doors, radiators and the main walkway. Mark it out with a foam mat, add low foam shapes and a small ball pit for under-2s, or steps, ramps and a slide for 2 to 4-year-olds, and set a maximum number of children. Loose foam sets suitable for a room corner start from around £160.
Nursery managers and school staff often tell Soft Play Market the same thing: they have one corner of a room, a limited budget, and children of mixed ages. This guide is about designing that area: where to put it, how to lay it out for your age group and how to fit it into the rest of the room. If you're comparing products and suppliers for a setting, our buying guide for nurseries and schools covers durability, cleaning and budget in more detail.
Where should the soft play area go in the room?
- Visible from everywhere staff work. If staff have to walk round a shelf unit to see it, move it.
- Away from doors and fire exits, so children aren't running into the path of people coming in and escape routes stay clear.
- Away from radiators, windows, plug sockets and furniture with hard corners.
- Not on the main route through the room, so other children don't cut across it.
- Close to a wall on one or two sides, which helps contain loose pieces.
How much space do you need?
A corner of around 2 x 2 metres works for a baby area with a few foam shapes and a 90cm ball pit. For active toddler play with steps and a slide, aim for more, around 3 x 3 metres, so there's landing space. Set a maximum number of children for the area and display it, especially if different groups share the room.
What should the soft play area include for each age group?
| Age | What to include | Example from our range |
|---|---|---|
| Babies (non-walkers) | Low wedges and cylinders, a shallow ball pit with 7cm balls, a mirror | Aesthetic Baby Soft Play Set, 5 elements (£216.95) |
| Toddlers (1 to 2) | Steps, ramp, arch or tunnel, small ball pit | Bearly foam playset with small ball pit (£302.95) |
| 2 to 4-year-olds | Steps and slide, climbing shapes, larger ball pit | Step & Slide set with square ball pit (£383.85) |
| Reception and KS1 | Larger blocks for building and obstacle courses, crash mats | Larger sets in foam playgrounds |
For a mixed-age room, design for the youngest children and add a few larger pieces that staff bring out for older groups.
How should you lay it out?
- Put a foam play mat down first to mark the area and give a soft floor.
- Place the ball pit in a corner, against the walls, so it can't be pushed around.
- Arrange steps and slides so the slide ends in open, soft space, not against the ball pit wall or the edge of the mat.
- Leave a clear gap between pieces children could climb from and anything they could fall onto.
- Keep a storage spot nearby for pieces you rotate out.
How does soft play fit with the EYFS?
Soft play supports physical development in the Early Years Foundation Stage: crawling, climbing, balancing and coordination. It also gives opportunities for turn-taking and talk. Plan short, adult-led activities as well as free play, such as an obstacle course, ball sorting by colour or a "follow the leader" route. We cover this more in soft play in EYFS settings.
What safety steps does a nursery or school need?
- Add the area to your risk assessment: age range, numbers, supervision, cleaning and checks.
- Check the area before each session: covers intact, zips closed, no foreign objects in the ball pit.
- Use 7cm balls for babies and never balls smaller than 6cm with under-3s.
- Keep food and drink out of the area.
- Always have an adult supervising.
Duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 apply to settings. This is general guidance, not legal advice; your local authority or inspectorate guidance takes precedence.
How do you keep it clean?
Wipe foam covers daily with warm soapy water and let them dry. Wash ball pit balls on a regular routine: warm water and mild washing-up liquid in mesh bags or a bath, then air-dry fully. Don't use a washing machine, bleach or very hot water. If you use a disinfectant, follow the label for dilution and contact time.
Frequently asked questions
Do the foam sets need fixing down?
No. They're loose pieces. A mat underneath helps stop them sliding.
How many balls does a small ball pit need?
A 90cm round pit takes a few hundred 7cm balls. Some pits include 100 to 200 balls; for larger settings, balls come in boxes of 750 from £142.50. See bulk ball pit balls.
Do you supply schools and nurseries?
Yes. Email info@softplaymarket.co.uk or see our trade programme.