Crondall Primary School in Crondall, Hampshire required a series of different pieces of play equipment to try and encourage their reception pupils to lead an active lifestyle from a young age.
Hand Made Places installed the Glade activity centre. This low level play unit promotes both fun, and physical development for early year’s pupils. It has a variety of different elements including a scramble net, fireman’s pole, pull up ramp, tunnel, and wobble bridge. These challenging aspects of this activity centre encourage children to develop their balance, coordination and social skills, whilst also engaging in active play.
A storytelling area was also installed which included a storytellers chair and eight freestanding block seats. An outdoor story area can be used during playtimes or outdoor lessons, and can help to boost imagination and encourage children to get involved.
A new outdoor chalk board, dry wipe board and tracing board have also been put in. These can again be used for outdoor teaching or for children to use to express their creativity.
The Sleeper sandpit has also been placed in the outdoor area to encourage creative and sensory play. Children of any age can enjoy playing in this sandpit. It has seats around the outside to allow for more children to play at one time encouraging communication and social interaction.
Finally, bow top fencing, a bow top double gate and bow top single gate, wet pour surfacing and artificial grass was installed, to allow for a specified safe and secure area for little ones to play, away from the rest of the school.
Head teacher Steph Tyler said: “It is incredibly important that we foster healthy, active lifestyles for our children from a young age. Thanks to the generosity of our parents and the fundraising efforts of our hard working parents’ association, we have been able to provide this amazing equipment to help us in our drive to do just that.”