Soft Play in Early Years Settings: An EYFS Guide for Nurseries
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Quick answer: In an EYFS setting, soft play supports Physical Development, one of the three prime areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Low foam steps, slopes, tunnels and blocks let babies and toddlers practise crawling, climbing, balancing and sliding safely indoors, and the same pieces become dens, roads and counting games. For a nursery room, choose low pieces with wipe-clean covers that staff can move in a minute, matched to the age group of that room.
Nursery managers and childminders are among our most regular customers at Soft Play Market, and the question we hear most is simple: "Which pieces are actually worth it for our room?" This guide explains how soft play fits the EYFS, what it looks like in baby, toddler and pre-school rooms, and how to choose equipment that staff will actually use every day.
How does soft play support the EYFS?
The EYFS statutory framework sets out three prime areas: Communication and Language, Physical Development, and Personal, Social and Emotional Development. Soft play touches all three, but its main job is Physical Development, which covers gross motor skills (large movements such as crawling, climbing and balancing) and fine motor skills.
- Physical Development: climbing steps, going down a slope, crawling through a tunnel, balancing on a beam, carrying and stacking big blocks.
- Communication and Language: positional words come naturally on soft play: up, down, through, under, over, next to.
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development: waiting for a turn on the slide, building something together, judging what feels safe to try.
Practitioners can also use soft play for the specific areas, for example counting balls in a pit for Mathematics or turning blocks into a bus or a castle for Expressive Arts and Design.
What soft play suits each nursery room?
| Room | What children are working on | Pieces that fit |
|---|---|---|
| Baby room (0–18 months) | Tummy time, rolling, sitting, crawling, pulling to stand | Thick floor mats, very low wedges and steps, a shallow ball pit with 7cm balls |
| Toddler room (18 months–3 years) | Walking confidently, climbing, sliding, early balancing | Step and slide sets, tunnels, rockers, large blocks to push and stack |
| Pre-school (3–5 years) | Coordination, planning a route, cooperative play, imaginative play | Modular block sets for building, bridges, hoops, obstacle-course layouts |
In mixed-age rooms, keep a separate low area for the youngest so older children aren't climbing over them.
How should soft play be set up in a nursery room?
- Clear floor around it. Leave space around the edges so children can step off safely, and keep it out of doorways and fire exit routes.
- Soft surface underneath. Put mats under climbing and sliding pieces.
- Low heights. Foam steps and slides around 40cm high suit toddlers; very young babies need lower again.
- Clear sightlines. Staff should see every child from where they sit or stand.
- Change the layout. Rearranging pieces every week or two keeps the area interesting and turns the same kit into a new challenge.
The 4-piece foam slide set (about £216, 40cm high) and the hoop set of 7 large foam blocks (about £314) are both easy to rearrange into different layouts.
What should a nursery look for when buying soft play?
- Wipe-clean covers. PVC artificial-leather covers are the quickest to clean between sessions. Fabric covers look softer but take more care.
- Removable covers with zips so foam can be checked and covers cleaned or replaced.
- Weight staff can handle. Pieces should be light enough to move and stack at tidy-up.
- No small parts or anything a child could pull off.
- Room to grow. Modular sets let you add pieces rather than replace everything.
Our soft play sets and foam playgrounds are the main collections nurseries buy from. For a fuller toddler room, The Soft Play Startup Bundle (about £1,236) combines steps, slides, a tunnel and a pit in one order.
Are ball pits suitable for nurseries?
Yes, with a few rules. Use 7cm balls, which are large enough for babies and toddlers; never use balls smaller than 6cm for under-3s. Supervise at all times, limit how many children are in the pit at once and keep food and drink out. Wash the balls in warm water with mild washing-up liquid, in mesh bags or a large tub, and air-dry them fully. Don't put them in a washing machine or use bleach or very hot water.
Our 7cm balls are made in the EU, free from PVC, BPA and phthalates, and EN 71 tested. For a setting, they come in boxes of 750 in one colour (£142.50) or an 800 mixed-colour pack (£178.80). See bulk ball pit balls for multi-box prices.
What about risk assessment and safety in a setting?
The EYFS safeguarding and welfare requirements expect settings to keep premises and equipment safe and to take reasonable steps to manage risks. In practice that means including soft play in your written risk assessment, checking it daily for split covers, flattened foam or exposed zips, and recording cleaning. Your employer's duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 also apply. This is general guidance, not legal advice; check your local authority early years team or Ofsted guidance if you're unsure.
Frequently asked questions
Is soft play part of the EYFS?
The EYFS doesn't require specific equipment, but soft play is one of the easiest ways to give children daily indoor opportunities for Physical Development, which is a prime area.
What height should soft play be for toddlers?
Keep climbing and sliding pieces low, around 40cm for toddlers and lower for babies, with mats underneath.
How often should nursery soft play be cleaned?
Wipe covers daily and after any spill or illness. Wash ball pit balls on a regular routine; weekly is a sensible baseline in a busy room.
Can childminders use the same equipment?
Yes. Smaller sets and a 90cm ball pit suit a childminder's playroom well and can be stored away at the end of the day.
Do you offer trade prices for nurseries?
See our trade programme or email info@softplaymarket.co.uk with your room sizes and age groups.