Outdoors

Areas

We have access to all areas of the school playground. In the foundation stage area, there is a small climbing frame with a slide. This provides our toddlers and children who are developmentally ready with the perfect climbing opportunity to support their physical development. Our wheeled toys are stored within this area, we have a selection of balance bikes and little tykes’ cars which are very much enjoyed by the children.

The covered sports area is a favourite of ours and we use this area very regularly. Our shed is located close by, which makes it really easy for us to get out lots of equipment to play with. We set out blankets to provide areas for small world, construction or reading.

Toys

We have a wide variety of equipment including space hoppers, hoops, quoits, balls, and doodle bug ride on toys. We have large duplo blocks for building, natural building materials and heuristic play resources. The list goes on and on, the shed is a real Aladdin’s Cavern!

Some sessions we don’t set out any toys or equipment at all and engage in races encouraging the children to move in different ways, sometimes we even play football or basketball! In the main area of the playground there is a stage area, in front of this there is a large section of artificial grass which is decorated with a selection of colourful shapes. We sometimes use this area during play sessions – the stage is the perfect area to put on a show and sing songs and perform dances and shows.

The school a has a trampoline which we are allowed to access with small groups – this provides a really good physical and sensory play opportunity for our children. There is a climbing wall within this area and whilst our children are too little to use it for its main purpose it isn’t an area that goes unused.

Play

Children will often be found hiding behind the low wall during games of hide and seek or pretending to sell ice-creams through the gap! There is also a shelter with a fixed seating area. At the front of the building there is a large section of playground which is completely covered in artificial grass. Amongst it there is a small boat and aeroplane which the children absolutely love playing on. Surrounding this there is a daily mile track, children can follow the trail that is set out and if they do this 26 times, they will achieve a mile!

A small planter wall is positioned next to this which is filled with a variety of plants and small trees and shrubs. This provides wonderful learning opportunities throughout the year and each season brings a different topic which can be covered. Following on from this area there is a further section of playground which is covered with artificial grass.

There is a small wooden house/hut in this area and a series of concrete and dry-stone planters which once again throughout the seasons provide the children with the opportunity to learn about growth.

Grassy Garden

A dry-stone wall separates this area from our gorgeous grassy garden. Children can either enter the garden through the gate or by climbing over the stile. This area is simply beautiful especially during the summer months when the willow tunnel is at its fullest.

Children travel through the tunnel giggling as they go. There is a paved amphitheatre seating area which children sit on whilst playing and they enjoy the physical challenge of taking the giant step up onto it. In the central area there are 3 obstacles which form our trim trail. Children can bounce across the wobbly bridge, balance along the beam and when our oldest children are ready, they take on the challenge of the wobbly steps. In the centre of the trails there is a wildflower garden which is usually in full bloom by summer.

There is a large wooden covered sand pit as well as a pebble pit in the garden. Behind a small secure fence there is a garden space which has a safely covered pond which is known to be home to newts throughout the year and there is further planting space. We treasure our outdoor areas and the opportunities they provide us throughout the seasons. Come sun, rain, or snow you will find children outdoors experiencing the awe and wonder of the world.