The Customer
Oasis Academy Shirley Park, located in Croydon, place play and exploration at the heart of their Early Years curriculum. Company Director, Sam Flatman, was delighted to meet with the school to design a new outdoor learning space that would completely transform teaching and learning.
Their Objectives
Oasis Academy wanted to create different playground zones that would support the seven key learning areas of the Early Years Framework.
Top priorities included places for children to develop physical skills and an outdoor shelter allowing children to explore sensory play.
Our Approach
In order to structure the large outdoor space, Sam suggested creating four different learning zones using picket fencing and gates allowing easy access.
The centre piece of the physical zone is a Harter Fell Climber with Platform and Fireman’s Pole.
This piece ignites children’s imagination as they devise their own climbing routes and make an impressive exit using the fireman’s pole.
Much of the playspace has been fitted with Deluxe Artificial Grass Playturf providing a bright, comfortable surfacing option which can be accessed in all weathers. The area directly underneath the climber is fitted with shock pad underlay to cushion landings, allowing children to take some risks.
A set of Get Set, Go! Blocks – The Mendips Set has proven to be extremely popular with pupils. When working together, children can reposition the sturdy blocks to create their own courses. As children navigate the curves, slopes and steps of the twelve different blocks they are building essential gross motor skills.
The ideal track for bikes, trikes and even prams has been created using thermoplastic line markings. The different features of the track including, direction arrows, stop and give way signs, traffic lights, a zebra crossing and a number snake offer many opportunities for rich conversation and games.
Three of our Medium Self-Selecting Stores have been placed at key points in the different zones, promoting independence and organisation.
One of the most impressive features of this playground transformation is the large canopy which runs alongside the classrooms. Practitioners now have a fantastic sheltered space for outdoor learning where children can partake in messy and sensory play all year round.
A Giant Playhouse is the focal point for the outdoor Communication and Language Zone which can be transformed into different settings allowing children’s imaginations to soar.
A Freestanding Storytelling Chair with a set of Moveable Grass Topped Seats creates the perfect setting for story and circle time within nature.
Interactive Whiteboard and Chalkboard Panels on Wheels are fantastic for developing early mark making through meaningful, collaborative play. Panels can be moved with ease providing practitioners with flexibility to create different outdoor layouts.
Oasis Academy also opted for a range of products to promote team work and problem solving through heavy lifting, construction and exploration of materials. They selected:
A Water Wall with Water Play Package and Mini Damming Station have proven to be very popular with pupils as they use their investigative skills to create various routes to send water speeding through the channels.
The Results
Oasis Academy now have a fantastic educational outdoor environment giving pupils the best start to their school life.
Learners have been highly motivated to explore and enjoy their spacious outdoor zones which provide them with plenty of opportunities for first-hand learning experiences.
The now well organised space sparks interest and stimulates curiosity as children engage with a range of multi-sensory activities.
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