What is Schemaplay? | NurseryNook

Schemaplay

Did you know that I am a certified SchemaPlay™ trainer? I've been baking aspects of this training into my offering for the last year but it's time to deliver the whole shebang!

Schemaplay is a registered trademark in multiple regions worldwide. Used with permission.

Trademarked to Schemplay CIC.

What Will You Learn?

When you join SchemaPlay training, you will gain a deeper understanding of:

1. Identifying and Understanding Schemes:
Learn to spot various schemes in children's play and discover how these foundational actions contribute to their cognitive development. From observing children transporting objects to recognising their need to join or fill items, you’ll develop the ability to respond meaningfully to their play.

2. Seeding the Environment for Success:
SchemaPlay guides you to “seed” your environment—adding carefully chosen materials that encourage children to explore and learn independently. By setting up the right opportunities, you’ll help children experience those ‘lightbulb moments’ where their learning truly comes alive.

3. Supporting Sustainable Development Goals:
Incorporating education for sustainable development is a core part of SchemaPlay’s philosophy. You'll discover ways to embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into your daily practices, fostering a sense of responsibility and environmental awareness in children from an early age.

4. Boosting Outcomes through Free-Flow Play:
Understand how to nurture children’s independent learning and problem-solving skills through free-flow play, where children take the lead. This approach supports not only their self-esteem and confidence but also helps them become more engaged and active learners.

What is SchemaPlay?

SchemaPlay is a unique approach to early years education, focusing on harnessing the power of schemes to unlock each child’s potential through free-flow play. Whether you are new to the concept or a seasoned professional, SchemaPlay offers a fresh perspective on how children learn, develop, and grow, providing a common language for your whole team.

Schemes—repetitive, exploratory behaviours like transporting, connecting, and containing—are the foundation of how children understand the world around them. These seemingly simple actions are the building blocks for more complex skills like writing, measuring, and problem-solving as children grow. SchemaPlay helps educators recognize these patterns, enabling them to create environments that foster independence, mastery, and critical thinking in every child.

SchemaPlay also supports children in forming connections between their experiences. Some children arrive with existing knowledge of certain processes, devices, and resources. As practitioners, we tune in to these understandings, helping children deepen and broaden their knowledge. This approach enables children to explore and engage more fully with the world around them, using familiar tools in new and enriching ways.

How Does SchemaPlay Work?

SchemaPlay combines structured training with practical application, ensuring that you can put theory into practice right away. Here’s how the process unfolds:

Training:
Participate in live sessions where we delve into the science behind schemes and schemas. Our engaging, easy-to-follow training explores how the brain develops in the early years and how schemas support this process. The sessions are recorded so you can revisit them at any time.
Coaching & Mentoring:
Following your training, you’ll work closely with a dedicated mentor through one-on-one sessions, focusing on embedding what you’ve learned into your everyday practice. These short, focused sessions are tailored to fit your schedule, helping you personalise your approach to your setting’s unique needs.
Accreditation:
Different levels of Accreditation are available at different points in the year. See below for details.

Who is SchemaPlay For?

SchemaPlay is suitable for early years educators, including childminders, nursery room leaders, and teachers working with children aged 0-5 years. The training is designed to meet you where you are—whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your practice.

SchemaPlay training has already transformed outcomes for numerous settings across the UK and beyond, helping educators create calm, engaging environments where children thrive. It’s ideal for those who want to better understand how children’s play supports learning and development and are committed to making a lasting impact on children’s lives.

Ready to Transform Your Practice?

Join the growing community of educators who have discovered the power of SchemaPlay. Reach out to discuss your training requirements or fill out the form below to get started. Let’s create environments where children’s natural curiosity leads the way, and every playtime becomes an opportunity for meaningful learning.

Click here if you're a Childminder

SchemaPlay is currently not open to Practitioners or School based staff yet. It will open later in 2025. Please email me if you wish to book a bespoke SchemaPlay training session or programme for your school or setting.