Pre-Prep Play Area
The children in our Nursery and Kindergarten classes are really enjoying their new Early Years’ Outdoor Area which allows them to choose and move freely, and safely, between the classroom and the outside. The classroom doors open on to this fantastic new facility at 9.30 each morning and remain open throughout the day allowing the children to individually decide whether to stay in the classroom or to go outside.
With its fantastic sun and shade structure and a whole host of exciting areas and materials to interest and attract the children, the Outdoor Area is now playing an important part in the children’s development and learning progress. Activities are now child-led and staff report that the children are learning to make choices for themselves as well as developing new skills and behavious patterns.
Taking over a month to construct and costing over £25,000, the Outdoor Area contains a sandpit, herb & lavender sensory garden, digging area, building blocks, water tray and a tree bench, plus plenty of space in which to run around.
“This is a truly fantastic facility and so important for the children’s development,” said Ms Richardson, acting head of Early Years. “We have seen a real improvement in their concentration, communication and confidence and it is lovely to see freeflow working so well and bringing such benefits.”