Windermere Primary School Nature Play Space
Windermere Primary School Nature Play Space
Department of Education
Inspiration
Outdoor play is an essential part of a child’s development helping to develop their imagination, dexterity and physical, cognitive and emotional strength. The construction of a new early learning centre (ELC) at Windemere Primary School offered Inspiring Place the opportunity to develop a diversity of new activities into the school setting that allowed for imaginative activity in a safe environment.
Outcomes
The new play areas have provided an abundance of play opportunities aimed at stimulating imaginative and physically challenging play for children at the ELC. Play spaces have been scaled to allow for group and individual play. Varying degrees of physical challenge are provided. Materials use multiple colours and textures to activate sensory response. Spaces were designed to enable them to be readily overseen by teachers and easily maintained by the school’s grounds crew.
Work on the playground was a natural extension of Inspiring Place’s role as master planners for the school site (2009) with the project offering opportunity to create expanded school pick-up and drop off facilities, develop new parking areas and enhance entry and arrival to the property.
Recognition
“The building and nature based play spaces are the first of their kind in Tasmania and were designed with input from children their families and staff. Our ELC re-imagines teaching in the early years at our school to be inspired by play based inquiry.”
Windermere Primary School Website
Photography: Matt Sampson
