Upgraded and enriched with purposeful play for early learners.
The existing outdoor space had strong foundations, with defined zones that naturally supported a variety of play. While the area was regularly used and valued by the children, it was clear that the equipment had become outdated and was no longer fully meeting the developmental needs of the children.
We introduced equipment designed to support key areas of early years development, including physical challenges to build strength and coordination, imaginative spaces that spark creativity, and sensory elements to encourage exploration. Every addition was made with purpose, ensuring that the play value was rich and varied.
See photos of the area before below
A huge impact to the space was the installation of Artificial Grass Surfacing. This instantly transformed the area, providing a clean, safe, and visually appealing surface that’s suitable for all-weather play. Gone are the days of missed outdoor time due to poor ground conditions.
Building on the existing zoned layout, we reimagined the central area as an open, flexible space dedicated to encouraging physical play. Here, we introduced our versatile Create-a-Trail blocks, giving children the freedom to build their own obstacle course and move the pieces around the playground to suit their creativity and energy levels. To support social development and provide moments of calm, we also added Circular Picnic Benches perfect for taking a well-earned rest after play, or simply for sitting together and building friendships.
The existing road track was already a much-loved feature among the children, naturally drawing them into imaginative and physical play. To build on this enthusiasm and extend its value, we enhanced the track with Thermoplastic Line Markings, giving it a more realistic appearance that instantly captured the children’s imaginations. We added playful yet purposeful features such as zebra crossings, speed bumps, and post-mounted traffic lights, encouraging role play and helping to introduce important real-world road safety concepts. A Mini Bridge was also added to create a “safe crossing” point, reinforcing key messages like looking left and right before crossing—turning everyday play into practical learning.
By weaving the track around each of the defined play zones, it became a dynamic feature that linked the entire outdoor space together, supporting not just imaginative and social play, but also promoting early physical development through cycling, scooting, and running. Road tracks like this play a crucial role in early years education, helping children to practice road awareness and develop safe behaviours in a fun, engaging, and age appropriate way.
Just off the track, we introduced a Traverse Wall which is a fantastic addition that offers both a physical challenge and an exciting discovery for active learners. This piece provides high play value while taking up minimal ground space, making it ideal for placing against a wall. It invites children to build strength, coordination, and confidence through climbing and movement, adding another layer of purposeful physical play to the space.
Our Role Play Shelter is a large-scale, versatile imagination hub designed to adapt to whatever the children are most engaged with at the moment. Whether it becomes a shop, a café, a post office, or something entirely new, the shelter encourages children to lead their own play and bring classroom learning to life through real-world scenarios. With generous counter space, shelving, a chalkboard for mark making, and open sides that mimic a serving station, it’s the perfect setting for social interaction, storytelling, and imaginative expression. The covered design also means play doesn’t stop when the weather changes allowing children to immerse themselves in role play all year round.
The redesigned play area now bursts with variety, starting in the creative zone with our Mud Kitchen 3 which is a spacious, hands-on station perfect for making mud pies and mixing up imaginative recipes with a Mud Table nearby keeps the play flowing, encouraging sensory exploration and teamwork.
The Double Sandbox with Pulleyand built-in seating, adds physical challenge and fun. Children scoop, pat, and transport sand building key motor skills while working together. The Water Wall is another highlight, featuring guttering, tunnels, a spinning wheel, and a manual pump that lets children move water through the system by hand offering exciting, active learning about motion, flow, and cause-and-effect.
Together, these zones offer rich, purposeful play that supports vital motor skills development, helping children build coordination and control through pushing, pulling, gripping, and pouring skills essential to everyday tasks and early learning.
The addition of our Timber Stage with Backdrop and Mirrorhas opened up a world of imaginative and expressive play. Children can now take centre stage to act out stories, sing songs, and explore performance in a space that encourages creativity and builds confidence. Paired with a Glockenspiel Music Panel and Bongo Drum Music Panel, the area also promotes musical exploration, rhythm, and teamwork. Through performing and making music together, children develop coordination, sequencing, and social interaction which are all essential skills in early years. Most importantly, as their confidence grows, so does their willingness to engage, express themselves, and take part in meaningful, joyful play.
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