Skip to content
I made a unicorn (play in early years) cover image

I made a unicorn (play in early years)
Laser Learning

Continuous professional development (CPD) online short course on expressive arts and design for nursery staff

Summary

Price
£25 inc VAT
Study method
Online
Duration
2 hours · Self-paced
Access to content
Lifetime access
Qualification
No formal qualification
Certificates
  • Certificate of completion - Free

Overview

Play, for children, is not just recreation – it’s their approach to life!

Every action is undertaken with the whole being: mind, body, and spirit. Play is basic to children’s wellbeing; it’s their way to discover the world around them and to express how they feel and, sometimes, to cope with difficulty. Because of all this, children’s play must be respected.

This course was created in partnership with Community Playthings.

Certificates

Certificate of completion

Digital certificate - Included

Resources

  • e-Book: Understanding cognitive development in children - download

Description

Learning outcomes

  • You will gain an understanding of the play opportunities found in materials and nature, and the importance of a relaxed, no-pressure approach to time in open-ended play
  • You will know how to support children using unit blocks and small-world play, and appreciate the positive effects this type of play can have on child development
  • You will be introduced to the twelve features of play, as defined by Tina Bruce
  • You will understand why children of all ages need abundant time for active free-flow play, and how adults can show the children they support that they respect this
  • Electronic activities for children and their usefulness and relevance to child development will be explored, and questions will be asked about the long-term effects of such play
  • You will be shown suggestions for ideas and activities for different types of play, as well as practitioner accounts of play activities they have initiated with the children they support

Advantages of this course

  • A wealth of open-ended play can build a foundation of confidence that enables children to take responsibility and meet life with determination and joy. This short course will help you to create, lead, and reflect on play opportunities for children.
  • With the increase in electronic activities being used for play, this course will consider their usefulness and relevance to child development. Ways to encourage children to play in more natural environments, and interact with peers will be considered.
  • Reading texts, case studies, website and video resources are used to explore play in more detail and additional activities encourage you to reflect on your learning

On successful completion of this course, you will receive a Laser e-Certificate (included in the course price).

After purchasing this course on Reed, a customer service representative from Laser Learning will email you with instructions on how to access your course on the Laser Short Course website.

If the purchase was made within business hours, you should expect your email within 1-2 hours. If your purchase was made outside of business hours, you should expect your email the next working day.

Who is this course for?

Early years practitioners and those working with children, it may also be of interest to parents and carers.

Requirements

A computer, mobile, or tablet and an internet connection

Questions and answers

Currently there are no Q&As for this course. Be the first to ask a question.

Ask a question

Reviews

Currently there are no reviews for this course. Be the first to leave a review.

Leave a review

Legal information

This course is advertised on Reed.co.uk by the Course Provider, whose terms and conditions apply. Purchases are made directly from the Course Provider, and as such, content and materials are supplied by the Course Provider directly. Reed is acting as agent and not reseller in relation to this course. Reed's only responsibility is to facilitate your payment for the course. It is your responsibility to review and agree to the Course Provider's terms and conditions and satisfy yourself as to the suitability of the course you intend to purchase. Reed will not have any responsibility for the content of the course and/or associated materials.

FAQs

Study method describes the format in which the course will be delivered. At Reed Courses, courses are delivered in a number of ways, including online courses, where the course content can be accessed online remotely, and classroom courses, where courses are delivered in person at a classroom venue.

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. If you work in certain professions or for certain companies, your employer may require you to complete a number of CPD hours or points, per year. You can find a range of CPD courses on Reed Courses, many of which can be completed online.

A regulated qualification is delivered by a learning institution which is regulated by a government body. In England, the government body which regulates courses is Ofqual. Ofqual regulated qualifications sit on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), which can help students understand how different qualifications in different fields compare to each other. The framework also helps students to understand what qualifications they need to progress towards a higher learning goal, such as a university degree or equivalent higher education award.

An endorsed course is a skills based course which has been checked over and approved by an independent awarding body. Endorsed courses are not regulated so do not result in a qualification - however, the student can usually purchase a certificate showing the awarding body's logo if they wish. Certain awarding bodies - such as Quality Licence Scheme and TQUK - have developed endorsement schemes as a way to help students select the best skills based courses for them.
View all
Related searches: Online courses

Interest free credit agreements provided by Zopa Bank Limited trading as DivideBuy are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Zopa Bank Limited trading as DivideBuy is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, and entered on the Financial Services Register (800542). Zopa Bank Limited (10627575) is incorporated in England & Wales and has its registered office at: 1st Floor, Cottons Centre, Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QG. VAT Number 281765280. DivideBuy's trading address is First Floor, Brunswick Court, Brunswick Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1HH. © Zopa Bank Limited 2026. All rights reserved.