In early years settings, children develop imaginative play at different stages.

Some children begin to explore storytelling and role-play within their own play, while others are still building the confidence to engage in shared imaginative experiences with their peers.

Creating opportunities that bring children together in a way that builds on this emerging play, while encouraging participation and confidence across the whole group, can be a challenge.

At Little Giants Nursery, practitioners were supporting a mixed-age group of 27 children whose imaginative play was beginning to develop, but was not yet consistent across the group.

That’s where Little Magic Train became part of their practice.

From the first sessions, children began to respond with increasing enthusiasm and engagement.

The practitioner shared that “children actively take part and are excited when they know it is time for Little Magic Train.”

Delivered outdoors, the sessions made full use of the playground environment. This allowed children to move through the story and fully immerse themselves in the adventure.

Over time, this developed into something more significant.

  • Children moved from emerging imaginative play to actively participating in shared storytelling experiences
  • From individual play to engaging together within a group narrative
  • From needing support to independently joining and taking part in the sessions

These changes were supported through a structured, multi-sensory approach that combined movement, storytelling and imagination in a way that was accessible and enjoyable for all children.

The structure of Little Magic Train provided a familiar and consistent framework that supported children to build confidence over time.

Through repeated storytelling, movement and rhythm, children were encouraged to engage with the narrative while physically exploring the environment around them. The outdoor setting enhanced this experience by giving the children space to move, explore and fully embody the story.

Children were able to observe, join in and participate at their own pace, helping to reduce pressure while encouraging inclusion across the group.

 

Practitioners observed clear changes in children’s willingness to take part in group activities.

At the start of the programme, some children remained on the sidelines or required adult support to join in. Over time, this shifted significantly, and the practitioner informed us that “when we first started the Little Magic Train, some children would sit on the sidelines or need adult support to join in, now most are quick to get to our starting point area where we start our journeys.”

This reflects a growing sense of confidence, belonging and enjoyment within shared imaginative play.

 

Whole-Setting Impact

  • Increased engagement across a mixed-age group
  • Greater confidence in joining group activities
  • Development of shared imaginative play
  • Increased independence in participation
  • Positive anticipation and enthusiasm for group experiences

This approach enables practitioners to

  • Build on children’s emerging imaginative play within a shared context
  • Encourage participation across the whole group
  • Support children to move from observation to active involvement
  • Create engaging, movement-based learning experiences outdoors
  • Develop confidence in a way that feels natural and enjoyable

This makes it both effective and sustainable within a nursery setting.

At Little Giants Nursery, this meant children coming together, engaging in shared adventures, and developing confidence through joyful, outdoor learning experiences.

For settings accessing EYPP funding, this kind of impact is particularly significant.

  • Little Magic Train supports measurable progress in communication, engagement and participation.
  • It enables inclusive practice, aligns with Ofsted priorities around language and interaction, and provides a consistent, evidence-informed approach that can be embedded across the setting.
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