Play Move Improve — Consultant Tool

Environment as
the Third Teacher

How to use this tool
1
Before you visit — review the child's referral notes. Know their initials, age, presenting concerns in this setting and how they present at their other service. Bring a notepad.
2
During the visit — 40 minutes minimum — observe silently. Take your own handwritten notes across all areas: the physical space, the sensory environment, transitions, routines, educator interactions, the child's regulation responses. Do not complete this tool during the visit.
3
After the visit — 15 to 20 minutes — sit down with your notes and complete this tool. Work through each section carefully. Select the descriptor that most closely matches what you observed. If something was not observable, select "Unable to assess."
4
When you submit — your data goes directly to Robyn Papworth. An AI-drafted service summary is generated for you to review and edit before sharing with the service. Never share the raw tool data with the service.
5
If this is a comparison visit — complete this tool separately for each service. Label clearly as Service A or Service B. Robyn will compare the two datasets to identify which environmental factors are contributing to the difference in regulation between settings.
Section 1 of 6
Child and visit context
This information is for Robyn's use only and will not appear in the service summary.
Please enter your name
Please enter the child's initials
Please select a visit type
Please enter the service name
Section 2 of 6Nervous System and Regulation Environment
Nervous System and Regulation Environment
How does this space support or challenge regulation?
Select the descriptor that most closely matches what you observed. Each question has its own response options.
Q1Noise level during the observation period
Q2Primary lighting type and quality
Q3Temperature during the observation period
Q4Visual complexity of the environment — walls displays and colour
Q5Aversive chemical smell — cleaning products disinfectant or synthetic fragrance
Q6Calming natural smell — herbs plants fresh air or natural materials
Q7Availability of a regulation or calm space within the room
Q8Transition warning systems — how children are prepared for change
Q9Sensory diet and movement opportunities embedded in the day
Q10Screen use during the observation period
Section 3 of 6Physical Environment
Physical Environment
What does the physical space offer children?
Select the descriptor that most closely matches what you observed.
Q11Indoor-outdoor flow — accessibility during the observation period
Q12Time children are kept inside before outdoor access is available
Q13Outdoor risk tolerance — physical challenge and rough and tumble
Q14Natural materials available in the indoor environment
Q15Biophilic elements — plants water natural light living things
Q16Sensory tubs and water play — availability and access
Q17Space for large movement within the indoor environment
Q18Noise-absorbing elements — soft furnishings rugs fabric cushions
Q19Clutter level — organisation and navigability of the space
Section 4 of 6Routines and Rituals
Routines and Rituals
How predictable and child-supportive is the daily structure?
Select the descriptor that most closely matches what you observed.
Q20Visual schedule — displayed and actively used
Q21Arrival ritual — how children transition into the space
Q22Choice available to children within the routine
Q23Transition management between activities
Q24Group size during key routine times
Section 5 of 6Educator Relationships and Attachment Environment
Educator Relationships and Attachment Environment
How do the adults in this space support children's felt safety?
Select the descriptor that most closely matches what you observed during this visit.
Q25Staff consistency — same educators across the week
Q26Physical proximity and warmth of educators to children
Q27Co-regulation capacity — how educators respond to a dysregulated child
Q28Language used in redirection — how educators guide behaviour
Q29Educator knowledge of individual children — awareness of triggers and needs
Q30Educator voice and tone during the observation period
Consultant observation only — not shared with the service
Section 6 of 6Service Context
Service Context
Contextual details about this visit
This information helps Robyn interpret the observation data accurately.
Once you submit, an AI-drafted service summary will be generated for you to review and edit before sharing with the service. Your private consultant notes and educator regulation observations will not appear in the service summary.
Play Move Improve — Environment Assessment
Generating service summary...
This draft summary is for your review. Edit it before sharing with the service. It does not contain any private consultant observations.
Generating strengths-based summary...
Analysing observations across all sections...

This environment assessment is based on a 40-minute professional observation by a Play Move Improve consultant. It is a professional observation record, not a clinical assessment. Data is submitted securely to Play Move Improve and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Australian Privacy Principles.