Our first working-bee for 2011 happened on February 20 2011. The rain came but spirits were not dampened! The committee of management are fired up this year and determined to create a new ‘natural’ playground for our children.
The tunnel/hill at our preschool has been a land-mark within the Mooroolbark community for sometime now. Everybody knows of the preschool with ‘the tunnel‘! And boy do we have plans to make our tunnel grand.
Our working-bee probably began the day before really, when our maintenance officer, Darryl and his friend with a digger (mysterious character… we’ve never met him yet!) prepared the ground and positioned our new slides. How much are the children going to love these!?
This area really needs to be viewed as a ‘work in progress’…. it will feature a tyre climbing slope with rope up through the middle of the slides and some planting of exotic grasses on either side of the slides.
On this side of the hill/slope we will have a combination of low planting and rocks for the children to climb, or perch on! To frame the entrance to the tunnel (on both sides) we will have two large potted plants (bamboo?). Hopefully, brightly coloured glazed blue ceramic pots!!??!
Wow… how much better does this look? We have hidden that horrible old concrete with a non-slip painted surface in a lovely sandstone colour. It will need another coat and unfortunately the rain restricted our progress on the day.
Check this out! A new lease of life for our cubby house! This is such an improvement! Previously, our cubby was not very user friendly (way too hot in summer and the huntsman spiders loved it!)… but remove an entire wall and door… and voila! … a great new play space!
It is now our ‘mud-pie’ kitchen! We hope to make a little stone pathway to link our sandpit to our kitchen. How much fun will this be for our children?!!… and maybe some sweet smelling herbs in pots alongside our path!
Another work in progress! This rather dull alcove provides such potential for a great play space!
It’s one awesome detail is this wonderful old tree stump which we intend to make full use of as a feature. At the moment, we have a couple of hay-bails for seating, but we have been given some great pieces of cut tree trunks (HUGE!) that, with the aid of a chain saw, will be turned into wonderful seats to surround our tree stump table! Fantastic!
We hope to hide the ugly tin shed walls with a variety of natural texture panels.
Not so long ago, we updated our rusty water-play trough for a new moulded plastic model. So, mmmmm… what to do with the old one… recycle it of course! Our grandfather Brian, drilled some holes into the bottom, lined it with fly-wire and added some topsoil. At the working-bee we added some plants and rocks… and there you go… an instant outdoor natural playscape! I think the children are going to enjoy playing with this in a multitude of different ways! The options are endless!
So, now let’s see what the children think of the changes their parents have made….
Oh yeah, I think they like it!!!!
Congratulations on your yardwork!
It is so inspiring, and as well I must say I am envious of your hot temperatures, and sunshine, I am writing from Saskatchewan, Canada. It was -27 today, and we haven't played outside for a week. Our summer weather is at least 3 1/2 months away!
But your playspace is lovely, your children will spend countless happy hours and have many happy childhood memories in this environment. Kudos to you and your parents!!
Brenda
Thank-you Brenda! We hope to create a 'memory-making natural playspace' for our children! Yes we do have sensational weather here… even in winter we are still able to be out and about. You have just reminded me not to take that luxury for granted. 🙂 Will post on our progress to keep you informed! 🙂
So much to love! So much to inspire me! Is it expensive to paint the concrete? Our veranda is concrete and (I think) lacks warmth and softness which the colour you have used really adds. Taking the front off the cubby was a stroke of genius! And I love the recycled water trough. This is an idea I'm definately going to use. Looking forward to seeing what else you guys get up to in your beautiful outdoor space.
It looks great, I especially love how you have revamped the cubby house – what a stroke of genius that was!
Thanks folks! Yes the cubby house has never been so popular! I cannot claim credit for the idea… my assistant Marina and I were discussing our disappointment with the cubby house and pondering on what we could do with it to make it more functional when she hit on the idea. I just looked at her incredulously and said, "Brilliant! Why haven't we ever thought of that before!" Simple… but brilliant!
@Jenny… we purchased the paint from Bunnings and I think it was $85.00 for 5 litres (I will double check for you)… we anticipate it is going to take 4 tins to complete. You may be able to do a comparison to your site from the photo's?!! It does look 100% better… and because it is 'non-slip' it has a fine sand mixed in with it so it does create a textured look and feel.
Where did you get the tunnel? I have been trying to locate a tunnel on the internet and nothing… Love what you have done with your daycare and my wife and I are trying to do something similar.
I wish I could help you there Brian, but the tunnel and mound were already present. The preschool turned 40 last year and the tunnel is clearly marked on the original plans!It is a concrete tunnel much like those you often see used in association with new road works. I am sorry I can be of no further assistance Brian. Good Luck with your search! 🙂