St Stephen’s CE Primary School EYFS Playground Redevelopment

Posted on 02 April 2026 by Ben Eden
St Stephen’s CE Primary School EYFS Playground Redevelopment Main Image
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At St Stephen’s CE Primary School in West Bowling, Bradford, outdoor play is seen as far more than just a break from the classroom. It is where children test ideas, build confidence and begin to understand the world around them through hands on experiences.

When the team began looking at their Nursery and Reception outdoor areas, it became clear that both spaces were ready for change, but in very different ways. The Nursery area needed a complete reset, with tired equipment ready to be removed and replaced with something more engaging and purposeful. The Reception space, on the other hand, offered a larger canvas with plenty of potential, but required thoughtful improvements to make the most of it.

Assistant Headteacher Kelly Wilson was keen to ensure that both areas felt exciting, practical and built around the needs of the children who use them every day. This was not about making small adjustments, it was about creating two environments that would genuinely enhance how outdoor play supports learning.

With a strong budget in place and a clear ambition to improve both spaces, the school partnered with Outdoor Learning Consultant Jordan Dale to explore what was possible. Together, they began shaping ideas that would transform both areas into engaging, well balanced environments where children could play, explore and thrive.

Two Spaces, Two Very Different Challenges

As conversations with Kelly Wilson developed, it quickly became clear that this project was not a one size fits all solution. Although both areas sat within the same school, the Nursery and Reception spaces came with very different starting points and priorities.

The Nursery area presented the biggest challenge. The existing equipment had reached the end of its life and needed to be removed, creating an opportunity to completely rethink how the space could be used. The goal was to build something from the ground up that felt safe, engaging and better suited to early years development, while also introducing practical elements such as storage and shelter.

In contrast, the Reception playground offered more space but came with its own set of considerations. With areas of the ground beginning to show wear, including loose brickwork, it was important to carefully plan how new equipment would fit into the environment. While some aspects required external groundwork, the focus remained on enhancing the play value of the space through well chosen features and a more thoughtful layout.

Another key challenge was ensuring both areas felt connected in quality and experience, despite being designed for slightly different age groups. The school wanted each space to feel exciting and purposeful in its own right, while still maintaining a consistent standard across the whole early years provision.

With these challenges in mind, Jordan began shaping a design approach that treated each area individually, while still working towards one shared goal, creating outdoor spaces that truly support how children learn, play and develop.

Shaping Two Spaces with One Clear Vision

With a clear understanding of the differences between the Nursery and Reception areas, Jordan Dale began developing a design that would give each space its own identity while still feeling part of a cohesive whole. Working closely with Kelly and the team, the focus was on creating environments that felt purposeful, engaging and built around how children naturally play.

To help bring the ideas to life, our visualisation team produced detailed 2D and 3D designs that allowed the school to clearly picture the transformation. These visuals were particularly valuable for a project of this scale, helping staff see how each area would be structured, how equipment would be positioned and how children would move through the spaces.

In the Nursery, the design centred around a complete refresh. With the old climber removed, this created a blank canvas to introduce new, age appropriate equipment alongside practical features such as storage and a gazebo. The aim was to create a space that felt safe, inviting and easy for younger children to explore with confidence.

For the Reception area, the approach focused on enhancing what was already there. With more room to work with, the design introduced a range of climbing and play opportunities that would challenge and engage children, while also improving the overall flow of the space. Careful planning ensured that the new features would sit comfortably within the existing environment, creating a more balanced and enjoyable playground.

With both designs refined and aligned with the school’s vision, the project was ready to move forward, setting the stage for two distinct yet equally impactful transformations.

Two Transformations, One Lasting Impact

As both the Nursery and Reception areas began to take shape, the impact of the changes was clear almost immediately. What were once tired or underused spaces had been transformed into vibrant environments, each with its own character but united by a shared sense of purpose.

In the Nursery, the complete refresh made a huge difference. With the old equipment removed and replaced, the space felt safer, brighter and far more inviting. Younger children were able to explore with confidence, engaging in play that supported their development while feeling secure within the environment. Staff noted how the addition of features such as sheltered areas and storage had also made the space more practical for everyday use.

Over in the Reception area, the larger space came to life in a different way. The introduction of new climbing and play opportunities encouraged children to be more active, adventurous and independent. Pupils were seen moving more freely across the playground, using the equipment in creative ways and developing confidence as they challenged themselves.

Staff shared how both spaces had positively changed the rhythm of outdoor play. Children were more engaged, more active and more settled, with each area offering something that suited their stage of development. Together, the two transformations created a stronger, more balanced early years provision, giving St Stephen’s a set of outdoor spaces that truly support how their children learn and grow.

Nursery Playground

The Nursery playground has been completely reimagined, transforming it into a space where children can explore, create and develop through hands on play. From the moment you step into the area, it feels inviting and full of opportunity, with a strong focus on sensory experiences and imaginative learning.

A key highlight within the space is the mud kitchen and water play area, where children can mix, pour and experiment freely. Features such as the Commis Chef Mud Kitchen and Buttermere Water Play Package quickly became favourites, encouraging collaboration, communication and creative thinking. Staff shared how these elements have helped children become more engaged in role play, often working together to create their own little worlds.

Alongside this, the playground offers a balance of physical and imaginative challenges. The Pinnacle Hill Climber and Net Tunnel Bridge provide opportunities for climbing and exploration, helping children build confidence and coordination, while resources such as the Play Builder Architect Set and Get Set Go Blocks allow for open ended construction and problem solving. The addition of the Giant Playhouse and movable mark making panels further supports storytelling, creativity and social interaction.

To bring everything together, the introduction of new surfacing has made a noticeable difference to how the space is used. With a combination of wetpour, artificial grass and playbond, the area now feels safer, more accessible and suitable for year round play. Staff commented on how the transformation has made the space feel “much more purposeful and engaging,” giving children a rich environment where they can learn through play every day.

Overall, this area included:

Reception Playground

The Reception playground offered a larger canvas, and the transformation has created a space full of variety, challenge and creativity. From the moment children step into the area, there is a clear sense of energy, with different opportunities for play spread across the space in a way that encourages exploration and movement.

Physical development plays a big role here, with features such as the Harter Fell Climber and Forest Roll Over Bars giving children the chance to climb, balance and test their abilities. These elements are balanced with open ended resources like the Get Set Go Blocks and Play Builder sets, allowing children to design their own structures and create new challenges each day. Staff noted how this combination has helped children grow in confidence while keeping play fresh and engaging.

The space also supports imaginative and sensory play in a really strong way. The water wall, mud kitchen and sand areas invite children to experiment and collaborate, while features such as the musical instruments and sensory spinner provide moments of calm, focus and creativity. Den making opportunities and the wigwam add another layer of imaginative play, giving children spaces to retreat, role play and build their own environments.

The addition of the hexagonal gazebo has brought real flexibility to the playground, offering a sheltered space for group activities, quieter moments and outdoor learning. Combined with the new surfacing throughout, the area now feels safe, accessible and ready for year round use. Staff shared how the space has become “a place where every child can find something they love,” supporting a wide range of play styles and developmental needs.

Overall, this area included:

A New Chapter for Early Years Play

Working with St Stephen’s CE Primary School has been an incredibly rewarding experience, particularly given the scale and ambition of the project. From the outset, it was clear that Kelly Wilson and the wider team were committed to creating outdoor spaces that would genuinely enhance how their youngest children learn and play.

What makes this project stand out is the way both the Nursery and Reception areas have been thoughtfully developed to suit different stages of early years development. Each space has its own identity, yet together they create a cohesive and high quality outdoor provision that supports a wide range of needs, abilities and interests.

Staff shared how the transformation has had an immediate impact, with children more engaged, more confident and more eager to explore their surroundings. The balance of physical challenge, sensory play and imaginative opportunities has created environments where children can thrive, both independently and alongside their peers.

We are proud to have supported St Stephen’s CE Primary School on this journey and look forward to seeing how both spaces continue to support their pupils for years to come!



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