Definition: Continuous provision

Resources and areas of the learning environment that you provide for children to explore freely across the whole year.


What is continuous provision?


Effective early years learning environments have different areas that each offer different engaging opportunities. The term ‘continuous provision’ means the resources and areas in your learning environment, inside and outside, that children can choose from and explore freely.

Stones as an example of a continuous provision resource


 Your continuous provision should:

      • provide a range of open-ended opportunities for child-initiated and guided play. See A play-based approach for more about child-initiated play and guided play.
      • provide opportunities for children to develop learning towards the curriculum learning statements independently
      • remain across the whole year, so children become familiar with them and comfortable with accessing and playing with the resources in each area independently.


Ideas for continuous provision areas and resources


Use the links below to explore examples of continuous provision for your learning environment:

  1. Home area and other role play
  2. Library/reading area
  3. Writing/mark-making area and art area
  4. Construction and small world play area
  5. Sand area and water area
  6. Nature area