When it comes to planning and building a playground, it’s fair to say it’s no easy task. In fact, many are shocked to discover just how difficult and in-depth it can actually be.
There’s a great deal to consider such as:
To help make your playground planning a little easier, here’s our very own guide to buying playground equipment and planning your own space.
This is without a doubt one of the most important parts. Without a thorough planning process, you could end up hugely over budget, without the right items for your particular space and a playground that lacks a good flow.
Every single aspect needs to be considered properly:
While it may not be possible to cater to every single want and need, it’s important to list them down and then decide which are must-haves and which are nice-to-haves. You’ll then know where it’s possible to compromise and where it isn’t.
As with anything in life, budget is key. If money were no object, life would be a whole lot easier but unfortunately, budgets are a key factor for virtually everyone, especially nursery settings who rely on government funding and attendance fees.
When discussing your budget, you should also consider whether your budget is there to cover the playground equipment alone or installation too, as this will determine how much you can spend on equipment and how much you need to hold back to finish the project professionally.
If your budget needs to increase, it may be worth holding some fundraising events where possible or better yet, apply for local funding.
Now you know how much money you have to spend, it’s time to look at the space you have available and what you can do with it. It’s hugely important that you look at all available space and make the most of every single square foot.
Having a team of people who have a great deal of knowledge in this area is extremely helpful. Here at Sovereign Early Years, this is something we can help with, by showing you how best to utilise the space you have as it’s an area in which we’re very experienced.
We’ll show you what you can do with your budget and your space, ensuring you get the maximum benefit in the most affordable manner.
Zoning is very similar to spacing however it looks more at the equipment you’re using, rather than ensuring equipment is placed in such a way that allows for maximum fun. Zoning focuses on creating different areas for different play.
Whether this is to divide climbing equipment from swing equipment or to divide age appropriate equipment is down to you and your intention for the playground as a whole.
Getting children to be more active is one of the top priorities of a playground as the CDC recommends a minimum of 60 minutes of exercise each and every day for children.
Therefore choosing playground equipment that encourages this activity, whether it’s sports focused or not, is imperative.
To really make the most of your space, look at multifunctional equipment such as climbing frames with ladders and bars, or equipment that allows children to reach for new heights, literally, through steps and jumps and even swings. Physical development play toys and equipment are essential for every nursery.
Make sure that your equipment doesn’t just provide a platform to play upon but actually provides a platform to socialise too.
Play should be encouraging for everyone, regardless of whether children are from the same social circle.
Providing areas that encourage children to sit or play together is super important, just as it is to ensure that the playground equipment is accessible for anyone to use without interrupting the flow of play for one group by another.
Accessibility is key when it comes to inclusive play. Ensuring no child is left behind and ensuring that equipment is laid out and spaced correctly to make it accessible for all is incredibly important.
This is another aspect in which our team will be able to expertly advise you, to ensure no child is left out or struggling to reach certain equipment. We’ll help you achieve full-360 degree play.
Now you’ve decided what playground equipment you can afford and where you’ll be putting it, it’s time to finally put these ideas on paper and create a design.
Again, having experts on hand such as ourselves can become very helpful in this situation as we can produce detailed plans for you to help you envision what the final design will look like.
This is a service we can offer, following a consultation and design meeting to determine what would work best for your individual needs.
We’ll also consider all health and safety aspects while doing so too, to ensure you have a fully functional playground that’s not only beneficial to young ones and their development but safe and secure also.
If you’d like help picking the right playground equipment and designing the ultimate playground for your nursery space, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Sovereign Early Years today.
We’ll help you at every step to ensure the finished product is the perfect playground that encourages activity, learning and socialisation for young minds, all within your budget. Call Sovereign Early Years on 01702 804198.