Here at Creative Play we have been designing, manufacturing and installing fantastic playgrounds for over 25 years. Needless to say, we have installed our fair share of school playgrounds up and down the UK during this time; and 2017 has been no different!
We thought it would be a great idea to look back through our archives and chose 6 of our favourite 2017 nursery playgrounds. From statement play towers to challenging physical play equipment, rustic sensory areas to vibrant safety surfacing, we had lots of developments to choose from.
In no particular order, see below to see if your school has made our list.
Clockwork Day Nursery
THE BRIEF
With Clockwork Day Nurseries opening day quickly approaching, the final part of the development, the outdoor play area, still needed to be addressed. The Nursery contacted Creative Play with a wish list already in mind. Looking to incorporate a roadway, balance/climbing, role play, sand and water features as well as mounds and tunnels to the area we knew we would be able to help!
THE DESIGN
With the brief we were given we were extremely excited to be part of such a great transformation. We designed the facility to include a range of early year’s playground equipment such as an outdoor sail shade, sandbox, mound tunnels, crawling tube, tower system, custom made water feature and playhouse; everything the Clockwork Day Nursery had asked for.
In addition to all of the equipment Wetpour Safety Surfacing and Artificial Grass Safety Surfacing were laid to allow all-weather use and ensure the play area meets all BSEN 1176/1177 standards. Within the Wetpour Safety Surfacing we also incorporated the requested roadway to provide more role play elements.
Northumbria University Nursery
THE BRIEF
A two stage development, staff at Northumbria University Nursery wanted to create two play spaces, each with its own play tower as the focal point, that focused on the development of fundamental movement skills and encouraged physical play. As always, we were happy to assist.
THE DESIGN
As the first area was smaller, we were really able to make the most out of the space by custom creating their Jigsaw Play Tower to pack in lots of exciting play features into a compact design. Again for the second area, a Jigsaw Play Tower acted as the main focal point, this time without roofed platforms, whilst additional play equipment was added to utilise the larger area available. Items such as our Timber Playhouse is great for den-making but can also be used to store trikes when not in use. A number of our Toddle Town play items were also added, such as our Balance Bar, Timber Bridge and Balance Beam, to allow the children to develop their balance and co-ordination skills.
Across both areas, green and black fleck Wetpour was used to ensure all BSEN 1176 & 1177 safety requirements were met.
Busy Bees Croydon
ABOUT
Our impressive development at Busy Bees Croydon is all about combining physical play opportunities with open-ended imaginative play elements. A bespoke 2 tower Jigsaw play structure and outdoor shelter act as the main focal points in the playground, whilst pieces such as our Timber Bridge, Timber Crawl Tunnel and Timber Playhouse – Construction Zone are all about providing discovery and exploration opportunities.
Our Wetpour Safety Surfacing acts as a great all-weather base that ensures all BSEN 1176 & 1177 standards are met; better still we incorporated a roadway design into the surfacing itself to incorporate a further play feature.
Hagbourne Pre School
ABOUT
Hagbourne Pre-School got in touch with Creative Play in regards to updating their outdoor play garden. They wanted to remove their existing equipment and replace it with a number of playhouses and playboards as well as an impressive climbing frame.
Firstly, a two tower Jigsaw Play Tower was added to create a main focal point; this included challenging play features such as a net climber and climbing panel for children to master. Teepee and Mound Tunnel playhouses were added to promote imaginative and social play as well as to provide shelter from the elements. To provide lots of varied play opportunities we also included a wide range of Playboards, such as our Rainwheel, Chalk Board and Dice, to encourage sensory, creative and educational play respectively. Finally, Wetpour Safety Surfacing was used throughout the area to provide a colourful all-weather surface, whilst ensuring all BSEN 1176/ 1177 requirements were met
Happitots Nursery Bishopbriggs
Happitots Nursery BishopbriggsABOUT
Happitots Nursery were looking to update their existing play area and after meeting with Creative Play, and establishing the 2 areas to be developed, we worked together closely to achieve the best solution that would provide the best play value as well as encourage the children to develop their fundamental movement skills.
In the front garden we installed play equipment from our Toddle Town play range aimed specifically for EYFS settings. The equipment included our Timber Crawling Tube, Sleeper Balance Beam, Timber Bridge and Traverse Panel all aimed at developing children and providing a great challenge.
For the rear garden we added out Jigsaw Play Tower at a height of 0.6m perfect for younger children to traverse across and have fun at the same time. Overall this Nursery has been a great transformation and a pleasure to have been a part of.
Little Acorns Pre School
ABOUT
Our development at Little Acorns Pre School proves that you don’t need need play equipment to transform your outdoor space. Vibrant Wetpour Safety Surfacing with contrasting colour splashes add interest to an empty outdoor play space and serve as a great feature for encouraging imaginative play. Overall this surfacing only project allows Little Acorn’s more flexibility with their outdoor space as they can switch what outdoor play equipment they want to use through the year. Better yet our Wetpour Safety Surfacing is a fantastic all-weather surface, ensuring the nursery children can enjoy outdoor play throughout the seasons.