“Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated.” 

Our school believes that all children need opportunities to explore, play, imagine and create within the environment. We believe play provision should be welcoming and accessible to every child, irrespective of differences, enhancing their sense of belonging within the school and promoting our school values of Respectful, Engaged and Ready.

Playtimes at Merley First School are currently being supported and developed through our EPIC play approach. EPIC stands for: Explore, Play, Imagine and Create. Launching in Spring 2025 and developing through to Summer 2026, we are committed to providing our pupils with resources that will enhance their play provision including:

• small world toys
• role play dress-up 
• outside art opportunities
• dance and performance 
• use of the playtrail
• den building
• 'wheels' resources