Project Brief
- Key Requirements: Overhaul two EYFS outdoor areas with all seven areas of learning covered. In the Nursery (which also includes provision for two-year-olds), level out the bumpy ground with new surfacing and consider freestanding equipment. In Reception, keep the wooded area as it is, replace the old climber, and fix the grass around it that turns to mud. A track was also on the wish list for both areas.
- Size: Two separate areas that were quoted separately, meaning the work could be staged out. Over 600m² of surfacing was required for the the project.
- Budget: The school was given a fixed trust-funded budget to work off for the reception space. The nursery space was going to be funded from a bid in February, so it was important that both projects fitted within the specified budgets.
- Other Problems: The children come from a deprived area and rarely get the chance to visit parks, so the outdoor space needed to deliver real physical impact. The spaces also needed to be ready quickly to be put in front of the trust for approval and any last minute changes before the children came back to school.
Part of the Shine Academies Trust, Lodge Farm Primary School serves around 400 pupils aged 2-11 in the Willenhall, Walsall area! Rated "Good" by Ofsted (which includes early years), it serves a community where many children rarely get the chance to visit parks or playgrounds outside school.
Wanting to provide a safe space for children to play and explore, Principal Rebecca Craine decided that Lodge Farm Primary needed both it's Nursery and Reception play area revamped and revitalised. Searching on Google, she quickly came across our website and decided to reach out to our playground specialists for ideas about how best to use the spaces.
Our Solution
Needing some inspiration, we put Rebecca in contact with one of our best Outdoor Learning Consultants, Megan Ragdale! The pair got straight to work on creating two ultimate play spaces that would not only target each of the seven areas of learning, but would also provide a safe space for children to play without the major risk of injury.
As time was a huge factor, Meg made sure that the entire process was done quickly and effectively. From having our incredible 3D visualisations created in record time by our visualisation team to our talented operations team working round the clock to ensure the logistics were all in place, the school had a quote and a presentation ready just in time for their meeting with the trust and for the funding!
Successful in their application for extra funding for the nursery, Lodge Farm primary school felt ready to bring the design to life! Over the period of 4 weeks, our installation team for the job (Ricky, Luke and Kane) worked tirelessly to make sure that every element was placed and fitted with perfect precision. With the new play space ready and all 7 areas of learning covered, the school was excited to see the impact it would have with the children.
Checklist
- Removal of old surfacing and equipment across both areas.
- 495m² of Artificial Grass and 114m² of Wet Pour across the two areas (replacing the pre-existing tarmac and worn-down grass)
- A new Reception play area with different play equipment targeting cognitive, social and physical development
- A new Nursery play area which incorporates a wide variety of play equipment and playground furniture
- All seven areas of learning have been successfully integrated within the design of the new play areas
Reception Play Area
Replacing the old climber as the centrepiece of the area, the Mam Tor Climber provides a safe space for children to improve their gross motor skills by providing an open-ended climbing structure that promotes climbing confidence and active exploration for Lodge Farm's little explorers! With a low fall height too, the chances of serious injuries occurring on the equipment are massively reduced compared to other climbing frames.
Supporting the Mam Tor Climbing Frame, the Climb Through Tunnel Hill and ever-popular Get Set Go blocks provide the little ones with plenty of ways to climb, crawl, balance and build. With two of the seven learning areas being achieved by these pieces of equipment alone, it's clear that the new Reception play area was going to be a hit at Lodge Farm Primary.
It doesn't stop there! A Giant Playhouse, Performance Stage, Giant Chalkboard and the Communication and Language Zone all come together to create an area where children can engage in role play, performance play, social play and creative play. With all of this equipment sitting alongside the existing wooded area, it's clear to see the rest of the seven areas of learning have been integrated within the space to help the EYFS kids of Lodge Farm Primary School develop in a variety of key areas.
Nursery Play Area
Lodge Farm knew exactly what their youngest students needed for successfully developing, which is why the Water Wall, Mud Kitchen, Sand Table and Planter Benches were placed within the area. Creating a rich sensory and messy play environment is vital for young children, as it helps them learn more about the world around them.
Alongside that, communication is a vital skill for children to learn, which is why our consultant recommended a second Communication and Language Zone and Performance Stage to be placed. Not only would both pieces of equipment encourage conversation, but they would also help children learn more about expressions and emotions.
The best bit? Most of the equipment in this area is freestanding, meaning Lodge Farm staff can easily re-arrange the play space to suit the needs of the children. Whether it's reorganising the space for outdoor lessons or to create effective zoning within the area, freestanding play equipment is a fantastic solution for any play area looking to remain free flowing.
The Transformation
Going from two bumpy and muddy spaces to level, clean and vibrant play areas, Lodge Farm Primary's two new playgrounds are a brilliant asset for not only the school, but for the local community around them! With the Nursery space showcasing a smooth artificial grass and wetpour surface to match the flexible, freestanding play equipment on top of it, and the Reception area having a new climber and fresh surfacing where the mud used to be, the transformation has been breathtaking for the primary school.
Our favourite part? The impact these spaces will have. For children who rarely get to visit parks, these new spaces will allow them to experience the thrill of climbing, balancing, building and role play within an ordinary school day, adding an element of uniqueness and speciality that no other school in the area can match!
With all seven areas of learning being covered, it's safe to say that this playground will help shape the future generations of children who come through Lodge Farm Primary, and help shape a healthier future for Willenhall! From everyone at Pentagon Play, we wish Lodge Farm the absolute best and hope the continue inspiring learning through play!
