How can physical environment support children play – Evidence from pre-primary educators and parents

The study explore the outdoor and indoor environment of pre-primary classrooms within the framework of primary schools, enabling play development for 5–6-year-old children. A mixed methodology was used to conduct the study, which clarified how and to what extent the pre-primary classroom's environment supports children in play development, viewed from the perspective of educators, parents, and observation in existing classroom environments. The triangulation method was used for data collection, interviews with 11 educators, questionnaires with 152 parents, observation in 5 primary schools, specifically 6 pre-primary classes with 20 educational groups. The findings show a need for adequate outdoor play spaces and the indoor spaces need to be redesigned based on a child-centred approach. Through data collection, we understand that there needs for more materials for the development of play and activities; therefore, planning and observing the environment based on the child's needs can positively influence the improvement of the situation.