“Delightfully put together. Ready to inspire and support young children’s learning. A brilliant resource”

Penny Tassoni, Child Development Author

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Site last updated 6th September 2008

Sustainability

Playscope has clearly been a great hit with play practitioners and children, but what of it's green credentials? According to Sue Gascoyne, this is one of its best features:

“Far from having green gimmicks, sustainability is central. From the handmade Treasure Basket from organic Norfolk willow, the Sensac made locally from azo free fleece, and the 50 hand-picked items, many sourced locally to reduce air miles.” As well as giving great play value, there’s an important message to convey, as she explains “The fact that hundreds of different games can be played with the same 50 objects provides a stark contrast to many new toys, abandoned after just one play.”

By evolving with the child, Playscope offers an alternative to a disposable society. It also proves you can benefit people and the environment. Adults with learning difficulties have made many of the Basket items. For example, doorstops and napkin rings are made from reclaimed wood at Shire Hill Enterprise, and the knitted and batik purses and lavender bags made using reclaimed materials and organic lavender at the Red House in Essex.

Playscope’s inclusive approach extends to its ‘customers’ too. Thanks to the input of nearly 100 specialists, the games are designed to cater for all children, including those with special educational needs (SEN).

A forthcoming research project into education on sustainable development will showcase some of the latest thinking in this field. 

A report has recently been commissioned by the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and it flags up Playscope as the only resource that embodies as well as educates on the principles of sustainability. A series of Stories will provide teachers and nursery practitioners with background information that they can use as appropriate e.g. a focus on what is a Loofah, where does it grow, etc. These could be used flexibly, as a springboard to a related topic or simply to increase practitioner’s confidence about their ability to answer questions!

Locally sourced organic Willow, from which all our Treasure Baskets are made, helps support the rural economy, reduce air miles, protect biodiversity and minimise pollution.