Elsternwick Primary School ELC

Revitalising Outdoor Play Spaces for Primary School's Early Learning Centre: A Creative Oasis for Young Minds

The redesign and construction of the outdoor play spaces for a secular primary school's early learning centre have been meticulously tailored to enrich the creative program offered to the children. The project focused on two distinct playgrounds catering to the developmental needs of different age groups.

In the 2-3 year yard, a Colonial Cubby house takes centre stage with a tin roof, raised timber deck, Perspex window, and an inside door adorned with a blackboard. Other features include timber seating, a Mud Play area utilising an existing double sink integrated into a rock and timber bench, an extended Sandpit with natural edging, Water Play with a stainless steel hand pump, log rills, large pebble mixed aggregate, and an arched timber bridge. A Log Stack Climber, Tunnel of Bush sticks forming part of the internal fence, and a Raised Timber Deck complete the vibrant space, featuring surface finishes of compacted toppings, basket-weave patterned existing bricks, and crazy pave with a concrete base ramped to the neighbouring deck.

In the 3-5 year yard, creativity continues to flourish with carved "Electric and Water pumps" from posts, Cypress posts and arbour frame with eyelets for educators to hang items, a Natural Sandpit with natural edging, and an Open Cubby with walls of blackboards and a Bali thatch pitch roof. Water Play includes a push-button tap fixed to an upright log, cobblestone circle, log rills, and large pebble mixed aggregate. A Yarning Circle with compacted toppings surface and cobblestone circles provides a communal gathering space. The highlight of this yard is the Custom Timber Fort, boasting raised decks at various heights, a double slide, protector panel, rock wall, rope climb, fireman's pole, ladder, clatter bridge, and monkey bars. Sleeper Planter Boxes add a touch of nature to the imaginative landscape. This revitalized outdoor environment aims to inspire and stimulate the young minds of the pre-kinder and junior/pre-prep groups, fostering a holistic learning experience through play.