Enabling Environments: How To Create Early Years Spaces That Support Real Learning

“It’s about pedagogy, not Pinterest.”

– Clare, Director

What does an enabling environment really look like? In this episode of Atelier Talks, we explore how thoughtfully designed environments (both physical and emotional) can transform your Early Years setting.

This episode is a real behind-the-scenes exclusive insight into how we design and continually review and adapt our nursery spaces here at Atelier. From authentic tools and open-ended resources to carefully curated emotional environments, we discuss how we build spaces that reflect the children at the centre of them; places that inspire autonomy, creativity, and joy. This episode offers a wealth of practical ideas to help you reimagine what your own environment could look like when you really get down on the children’s level and ask yourself “what does it feel like to be a child here?”

• What makes an environment “enabling”, beyond surface aesthetics
• Why reliable, well-stocked spaces matter just as much as beautiful ones
• How we use authentic tools, natural materials and loose parts in our mixed-age setting
• The role of the emotional environment in supporting wellbeing and deep learning
• How we structure continuous provision, block play, clay work and real-life provocations
• The Reggio Emilia influence behind our workshop model and third teacher philosophy
• Our approach to zoning, flow, and flexible furniture for evolving cohorts
• Examples of community projects and how we bring families and local voices into the nursery

The magic of Atelier draws on foundational thinking from a range of influential Early Years theorists and educators. If you’d like to find out more about the voices that shape our deeply relational, child-centred practice here at Atelier, those mentioned in today’s episode are as follows:

• Loris Malaguzzi – founder of the Reggio Emilia approach, which inspires our workshop model, visual presentation of materials, and the concept of the environment as “the third teacher.”
• Friedrich Froebel – for his philosophy on occupations, block play, and the foundational principles behind hands-on learning and real tools in Early Years.
• Simon Nicholson – originator of the Theory of Loose Parts, which underpins our use of open-ended, natural materials.
• Elinor Goldschmied – for her work on heuristic play and treasure baskets, foundational to sensory exploration in early childhood.
• Reggio Children – referenced more broadly in relation to environments, mark making, and provocations, such as “paper as a receiver” and collaborative projects.
• The Hundred Languages of Children – a core concept from Reggio Emilia practice guiding our creative and multi-modal learning environments.

Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk

Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd

Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via our website

Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning.

Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast

Produced by Decibelle Creative – decibellecreative.com / @decibelle_creative

Keywords: enabling environments, pedagogy not Pinterest, Reggio Emilia, Froebel, block play, loose parts, heuristic play, workshop model, Early Years education, mixed-age settings, child-led learning, nursery design, sensory play, autonomy in learning.