Kids College Childcare creating magical outdoor play spaces

From Playground to Outdoor Play Space

There is growing momentum in Australia and around the world to broaden our understanding of the traditional ‘playground’ concept. For this reason, we use the term ‘play space’, which incorporates a wider range of play experiences suitable for children.

Outdoor play, gardens, art, music pieces, places for social interaction, and outdoor classrooms are some of the components that can be included in our play spaces. This broader notion also recognizes the valuable role play contributes to child development and learning outcomes, complementing and extending the classroom learning environment.

We aim to create play spaces that offer contact with nature, stimulate creativity and imagination, and encourage ‘active play’. While play spaces must be safe, they also need to be challenging to support further learning, exploration, and experimentation. The Early Years Learning Framework for children from birth to five years emphasizes the need for a ‘play-based learning context’, focusing on the natural environment (Outcomes 2, 3, and 4), enabling children to learn about the social world.

Value of Play in Learning

As well as the value of play itself, play spaces provide essential learning opportunities. Evidence shows that play in nature improves children cognitively, emotionally, socially, physically, and behaviorally. Research highlights that play and learning are inseparable, particularly during early education years, and teachers achieve the best educational results when supporting children’s play.

Next Step in the Evolution of Kids College Childcare Outdoor Play Space

At Kids College, we are continuously improving. Our next project is the next stage of our indoor and outdoor play space development. We aim to create and maintain play spaces that support children’s development, learning, health, and well-being while minimizing the risk of serious injury. We started by listening to children’s voices to understand what they want in their play areas. We also consulted staff and families. The design includes both active and quieter play areas, offering a balance of uninterrupted play. The spaces are inclusive, designed to promote open-ended interactions, spontaneity, risk-taking, exploration, discovery, and a connection to nature.

 

We already enjoy: A whole play structure with multiple slides, cubby areas, climbing steps, an open area for free play, loose parts for balancing and obstacle courses, tunnels, cubby houses, sports and movement equipment, natural wooden logs, a sandpit, an array of bicycles and tricycles, an outdoor art easel, water fountains, wooden blocks, soft play blocks, wood chips, and our veggie and herb patch.

In our current phase of the outdoor play space design, we’ve added: A wooden cubby above the tunnel, a stone stream with a water pump, a beach scene with a boat in a large sandpit, a second huge sandpit with wooden play, a tree for shade, a loose parts play area, a yarning circle to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, a forest of wooden posts, native plants, sensory surfaces, and a mud kitchen!

Outdoor play area for our childcare centre in North Perth.

Components we have included in our design:

• Active and free play areas with one-third of the play space dedicated to open space for children to run.
• Quiet areas that offer children safe spaces to build confidence through semi-enclosed spaces for discovery.
• Social play areas to encourage language and cooperation skills through role-play and turn-taking.
• Imaginative, creative, exploratory, and natural play areas, including trees, shrubs, and ground covers that stimulate imaginative and creative play.

Nature Space:

Natural play spaces consist of elements like logs, boulders, plant materials, and changes in landscape that encourage children to explore and enjoy the aesthetics of nature.

“Maybe if we provide more places planted for play—places that are easy to get to, familiar, engaging, and sense-filling—the children will joyfully play there throughout their childhood and carry those memories into their futures.” – Jeanne Vergeront, “Planting for Play”

Developmental Benefits of Plants in Play Spaces:

• Social and Emotional Development: Children who play in natural environments are better at coping and less affected by stress.
• Language and Literacy Development: Natural play fosters more imaginative and creative language use.
• Intellectual Development: Contact with nature enhances concentration and self-discipline in children.
• Physical Development: Children develop fine motor skills during planting activities and interacting with nature.

All materials selected tie in with a West Australian native theme and are environmentally and water conscious. Examples include Waterwise plants, such as Kangaroo Paws Bush Blitz and Corymbia Dwarf Ghost Gum, and the use of sustainable wood like Molloy Island Jarrah Logs and Merbau Timber.

Safety:

We balance risk aversion with the essential need for challenges in child development. Safety measures include good design, high-quality construction, regular maintenance, and adequate supervision. Australian standards for playgrounds recognize the importance of risk and challenge, focusing on eliminating life-threatening hazards while not advocating for risk-free playgrounds.

Official Kids College Landscaper: Brett Grono, Form Landscapes

Brett Grono, the proprietor of Form Landscapes, has a passion for native bushland and flora. With a strong educational background in horticulture, landscaping, and water-wise gardening, he provides the best advice for creating beautiful, sustainable outdoor spaces.

“My passion and knowledge in landscape design and construction ensure that I give my clients the best possible advice to achieve exactly what they want.” – Brett Grono

Philosophy: “We strive to provide an environment of excitement and challenge to facilitate children’s learning in all areas of development, through vibrant, flexible spaces that are responsive and inclusive of each child’s interests and abilities.”

NQS: 3.2.1 Outdoor and indoor spaces are organized to support every child’s participation and engage them in quality experiences in both built and natural environments.

KIDS COLLEGE FAMILY: At Kids College, we work each day embedding our values and philosophy into everything we do. We continually improve our practices by reflecting and engaging with our community. Your support and input are valuable to us. Please share your suggestions and ideas with us. Contact us at Jennifer@kidscollege.com.au.