Ask the Expert: Invest in quality art materials
June O'Sullivan
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
We have just been given some money to improve our nursery’s art area. What shall I buy?
Painting and drawing provides children with fabulous learning opportunities. Consider the children’s ages and stages and buy a range of materials that meet their needs, and support them working together and independently.
The rule for purchasing anything in a nursery is to buy good-quality, durable, tough tools. Use high-quality brushes and paints that will not get sticky, dry out and be unusable within a few days. Buy lots of canvases. Some staff like ready-mix paints but powder paints allow more creativity and invention.
If you have money to buy furniture, buy a sturdy art trolley on wheels. A nice solid multi-purpose easel at the right height for the children is a must. One with magnetic clips is more user-friendly. Get a heavy-duty drying rack that won’t tip over and also copes with drying junk modelling. Buy lots of aprons that won’t disintegrate after a few washes. Enjoy the pleasure all this will give you and the children.
Answered by June O'Sullivan, chief executive of the childcare charity and social enterprise, the London Early Years Foundation
Email questions, marked “Experts”, to cypnow@markallengroup.com
