Much More Than Refurnishing! How Leadership Matters When Transforming Physical Environments for Play

The study investigates how management plays an important role in projects aimed at improving physical play environments, both indoors and outdoors, in kindergartens. The aim of the study is to shed light on which aspects of management are essential when improving physical play environments, and to identify challenges and success factors in such processes.

The research questions are: 1) What aspects of management are of importance when improving physical play environments? 2) What challenges and success factors can be identified in connection with such changes?

The study revealed that a management style that actively promotes staff ownership of the project and clearly communicates the value of the changes implemented is crucial for success. It involves involving employees in planning and implementation, highlighting the connection between the changes and children’s play, and facilitating skills development. The study finds that the time aspect and resistance to change are key challenges, but also that small, reasonable changes can have a positive effect.

The study uses qualitative interviews as a data collection method. In total, 16 interviews were conducted with coordinators and pedagogical leaders in eight different kindergartens spread throughout Norway. The sample of kindergartens was strategically chosen and included both private and public kindergartens with variations in size, quality and type of building. In addition, observations (video recording and photo) and analyses of the physical play environment in the kindergartens were carried out, both before and after interventions, involving a total of 80 children. The interventions focused on improving the physical play environment, both indoors and outdoors.

Evenstad, R. & Brennhovd, M. (2023). Much More Than Refurnishing! How Leadership Matters When Transforming Physical Environments for Play. Nordisk barnehageforskning, 20(4), 1–24.