Key Points
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Timbertree Academy, part of the UK's leading MAT (United Learning), is a school in Cradley Heath that places real value on providing high quality environments where young children can thrive. From the classroom to the playground, the team are passionate about creating spaces that support confidence, curiosity, and positive early development.
When the time came to review their EYFS outdoor provision, the school saw a valuable opportunity. With a generous budget in place and a clear vision for what they wanted to achieve, Timbertree Academy made the decision to completely redesign their existing EYFS play area. The goal was not just to refresh the space, but to create something truly special that would inspire learning, movement, and imagination every day.
The ambition was to deliver a fully transformed outdoor environment that reflected the school’s commitment to excellence. Every element needed to feel purposeful, engaging, and well suited to the needs of early years children, while making full use of the space available.
To bring this vision to life, the team began looking for an experienced playground specialist who could match their ideas with practical design expertise. This search led them to Pentagon Play, where they quickly connected with one of our Outdoor Learning Consultants, Sam Jones, to begin planning an exciting EYFS transformation from the ground up.
The Challenges
Speaking to Ms Harjit Chahal, the Headteacher of Timbertree Primary Academy, Sam Jones quickly began building a strong working relationship, taking the time to fully understand the school’s vision for their new EYFS play area. These early conversations helped identify not only what the school wanted to achieve, but also the key challenges that would need careful consideration throughout the project.
One of the main challenges was the scale of the transformation. With a generous budget in place, Timbertree Academy wanted a complete redesign of their EYFS outdoor space rather than a simple refresh. This meant starting with a blank canvas and ensuring every element of the design worked together to create a cohesive, high quality environment that would deliver long term value and daily impact for young learners.
Another important challenge was creating a space that balanced ambition with practicality. While the school wanted bold, exciting features that would inspire children, the playground also needed to be safe, age appropriate, and easy for staff to supervise. The layout had to encourage exploration and active play while still supporting quieter moments of learning and social interaction.
The final challenge was timing and delivery. With clear expectations around when the project needed to be completed, it was essential that the design, manufacturing, and installation phases ran smoothly and efficiently. Every stage needed to be carefully planned to ensure the transformed EYFS area was ready to be enjoyed without disruption to the wider school environment.
Once the initial discussions were complete, Sam gathered his notes and began shaping a design that addressed each of these challenges. By offering tailored recommendations and thoughtful design solutions, he ensured the final plans reflected Timbertree Academy’s vision while remaining practical, safe, and deliverable.
The Process
Once the plans were signed off by Ms Harjit Chahal and the team at Timbertree Primary Academy and United Learning, Sam moved quickly to bring the project to life. While staying in regular contact with the school, he worked closely with our internal teams to ensure everything progressed smoothly.
Our visualisation team began creating detailed 3D and 2D designs, giving the school a clear and exciting picture of how the new EYFS play area would look once complete. These visuals proved invaluable for sharing with stakeholders and building anticipation ahead of the installation.
As the designs were being finalised, our manufacturing team got to work producing the wide range of equipment needed for the new playground. Using sustainable materials and modern manufacturing techniques, each piece was carefully crafted in our own workshop. Keeping everything in house allowed us to maintain high quality standards while ensuring the project stayed on track and met the school’s timeline.
With the equipment ready, our experienced installation team loaded up the vans and headed to Timbertree Primary Academy. Trained by one of the United Kingdom’s leading playground companies, the installers worked efficiently and safely, paying close attention to every detail to ensure the new EYFS area was installed to the highest standard.
By the middle of the summer holidays, the transformation was complete. The once empty outdoor space had been turned into a vibrant and inspiring play environment, ready to welcome children for the new academic year. Ms Harjit Chahal and United Leanring were delighted with the results and excited to showcase the new facilities to families considering the school. Sam later arranged to return in September to see the playground in use, an invitation the school was more than happy to accept.
The Results
As September arrived, Sam and a few members of the Pentagon Play team returned to Timbertree Primary Academy to see how the new EYFS play area was settling in. From the moment they arrived, they were warmly welcomed by Ms Harjit Chahal and the school staff, who made the visit feel relaxed and positive from start to finish.
Walking towards the newly transformed space, staff shared just how much of an impact the playground had already made. The EYFS children were confidently exploring the area, engaging with the equipment and making the most of every opportunity to play and learn outdoors. Teachers explained that the new layout had created an exciting and purposeful environment that supported both development and enjoyment.
Ms Harjit Chahal also spoke about how well the new play area had been received by parents. He explained that during recent visits and discussions with families, the playground had been a real highlight, helping to showcase the school’s commitment to high quality early years provision and making a strong first impression.
Stepping into the playground, it was impossible not to smile. The children were completely absorbed in play, climbing, balancing and interacting with one another with confidence and enthusiasm. As we moved through the space, it was clear that each area was being used just as intended, setting the perfect scene to take a closer look at the individual features that made the playground so special.
Fencing, Surfacing and Seating
Immediately, the first thing that caught our teams eye was the new sense of vibrance and colour brought to the playground by the safety surfacing. No matter where the team stood, each zone encapsulated a lively and fun environment by showcasing bright and fun safety surfacing.
Combining our FIFA-approved Playturf artificial grass, our bright and popular Funturf surfacing and our famous and durable wetpour surfacing, the school managed to create an early years play area that truly inspired imaginations and fully engaged the little ones in play time.
Surrounding the colourful area, the school opted to create a barrier of safety by having our Bowtop fencing installed. Not only would this fence prevent children from wandering off into unsupervised areas, but the beautiful design of this fencing made sure that the atmosphere wouldn't be impacted.
Finally, we also noticed a couple of perch benches scattered across the play area. It's very common for children to use play time as a chance to rest and recuperate, instead of just playing. By having dedicated pieces of furniture that allow children to rest comfortably, the school noticed that their EYFS children felt more attentive during lesson times, and less tired.
Overall, the playground contained:
- 4m² of Blue Funturf
- 8m² of Red Funturf
- 4m² of Yellow Funturf
- Over 740m² of Playturf Artificial Grass
- Over 140m² of Wetpour
Nursery Zone
Starting in the Nursery zone, our team saw the incredible difference the new Freestanding Timber Canopy had made within the area. Children were able to play outdoors whilst in a sheltered environment, protecting them from the natural elements.
Inside the canopy, the roof had a variety of different colours on it, ranging from reds and pinks to green and yellows. Speaking to the staff, they explained how the coloured roof was a huge success, engaging their nursery children's senses and keeping them engaged with the outdoor area.
On the floor, a large covered sandbox could be seen, allowing children to further engage in sensory play. Teachers explained how the sandbox also acted as a brilliant resource for outdoor lessons (which were now possible thanks to the canopy). Seeing so many smiles under one roof was fantastic!
Overall, this zone contained:
- A Freestanding Timber Canopy (8m x 4m)
- A Yellow Coloured Roof Panel
- A Red Coloured Roof Panel
- A Pink Coloured Roof Panel
- A Green Coloured Roof Panel
- A Large Covered Sand Box
- A Lookout Cabin Window
Sensory Garden
Heading outside the canopy, the staff took us to the incredible sensory garden! Sensory gardens are becoming a key part of most EYFS play areas, due to the inclusive nature of them, as well as the many physical and cognitive benefits they provide.
Around the area, our famous planter benches and trellis screens could be spotted. These benches allow schools to not only provide a safe space for children to rest, but also allow areas to feel more natural with flowers and shrubbery being able to be planted on the back. Teachers also told us how the benches had allowed the school to start a gardening club, helping children engage more with the natural world, whilst improving the look of the area.
For children looking to engage other senses, the area also contained a variety of sensory play equipment. From our famous sensory arbour to our fantastic Sensory Spinner Wind Farm Package, the garden was equipped with everything it needed to create a sensory stimulating environment. Staff even mentioned how the garden had allowed easy integration between SEN and neurotypical children, helping to blossom new friendships.
Overall, the new sensory garden included:
- A Four Seat Planter Bench
- Two Straight Planter Benches
- A Giant Mirror on Posts
- A Sensory Arbour
- Two Trellis Screens
- The Wind Farm Package (which contains a Drawing, Light, Sound and Touch Sensory Spinner)
Investigation Area
For children to learn and grow, it's important to expose them to new and exciting things. Timbertree knew the importance of this, which is why the next area they took us to was their Investigation Area. Within this area, children could investigate new and exciting concepts and understand more about the world around us.
One of the key pieces of play equipment we instantly recognised was the Weighing Scales, a genius piece of outdoor play equipment that encourages children to learn about weight and mass. Speaking to the teachers, they explained how this one piece of play equipment had massively increased the interest in science that the children have.
The Rope and Pulley Materials Mover was close by, allowing children to not only engage in a fun and addictive activity, but it also allowed children to sub-consciously learn more about basic engineering and fundamental concepts of movement. With a giant chalkboard placed beside the equipment, children could easily write down their findings and form group plans on what to do next.
For the children looking for an easier activity, but one that still gets the brain whirling, the mud kitchens were there to help. A teacher explained how the mud kitchens had become a key part of the entire EYFS play area, with nearly all of the children wanting to play with it at some point.
Overall, the Investigation Area included:
- A Set of Weighing Scales
- A Rope and Pulley Materials Mover
- A Giant Chalkboard on Posts
- An Arbour Custom Sign (indicating where the area is)
- Two Mud Kitchens
Physical Development Zone
With obesity and unhealthy habits on the rise, it's more important than ever for schools to introduce their EYFS children to physical activities at a young age. Timbertree Primary knew this, which is why they developed a fantastic physical development zone. According to staff, parents were amazed by this part of the playground, feeling like it offered everything to keep their children healthy and fit.
If the children felt like they wanted to conquer a physical challenge, the zone also offered incredible Modular Play Tower Kenilworth and the Mam Tor Climber. Both pieces of equipment were impressive in size and offered children a variety of ways to conquer them, helping children develop different areas of their physicality.
The Get Set Go blocks and Play Builder set aimed to provide a chance for children of all abilities to engage in some fun and beneficial active play. Not only that, but due to the freestanding nature of the equipment, the children could even manoeuvre the equipment to create their very own obstacle courses!
Overall, the physical development zone included:
- The Mam Tor Mountain Climber
- The Kenilworth Modular Play Tower (0.9m in height)
- A Play Builder Architect Set
- A Get Set, Go! Mendips Blocks Set
Reading Area
Located on the far end of the playground, two Forest Floor Learning Dens with Windows and Benches could be seen. Asking the staff, they explained how these structures had become fantastic areas for children to escape the hustle and bustle of the playground and escape into books. To store the books away safely, the school made sure to have one of our Acorn Self-Select Stores located nearby, encouraging self-organisation.
Beside the two learning dens, a Hill den and a few Small Moveable Artificial Grass-Topped Seats could be seen, providing more spaces for reading but in an outdoor environment. Every staff member we spoke to loved this area, believing it was encouraging children to improve their reading skills whilst getting fresh air.
Overall, the reading area included:
- Two Forest Floor Learning Dens with Windows and Benches
- Three Small Moveable Artificial Grass-Topped Seats
- An Acorn Self-Select Store
- A Freestanding Communication and Language Zone
- A Hill Den
Performance and Music Zone
The final area to look at was one that had us really excited, the performance and music zone. Featuring the incredible Performance Stage with Chalkboard and Den Making Poles, children could let their imaginations run wild and create worlds that transport the audience into their plays.
Perhaps instead of drama plays, the children might want to play some music for their friends? Timbertree thought of this and included a variety of musical instruments, allowing their children become little musicians. Teachers loved the free nature offered by this area and felt like confidence and other attributes were being improved via the stage.
Overall, the performance and music zone included:
- Two Drum Seats
- A Musical Triad
- A Group Batonka
- A Performance Stage with a Chalkboard and Den Making Poles
Reflection
Working with Timbertree Primary Academy and United Learning has been an absolute pleasure. Not only did we have the chance to help the school create a vibrant and inclusive EYFS play area, but we also loved seeing the school’s passion for giving every child a space to explore, learn, and have fun.
Seeing the children enjoying their new playground and the difference it made for staff reminded us why we love what we do. Every child deserves the chance to play, discover, and grow in a space that sparks imagination and supports development, and this project showed just how transformative a well-designed outdoor area can be.
We wish Timbertree Primary Academy and their EYFS pupils every happiness in their new playground. We hope it brings endless fun, creativity, and memorable moments for many years to come. You will always be a valued part of the Pentagon Play family!
