ofElementsPlay creospace.co.nz
Water Play Sand FixedShadePathwaysFencingFlexibleSafetyPlaySurfacingPlayAreas&BikesTracksStructures.32.28.24.20.16.12.08.04 Contents
existingaddingplayspaceWhetherIntroductionyou’recreatinganewECEorsimplyinterestedinsomenewelementstoanspace,thisguideisforyou.
In the following pages, you’ll find examples of play items you can add to your space to increase play and learning opportunities, improve flow, and make your outdoor areas more attractive.
In each section, you’ll learn more about the benefits, options, and design considerations for each play element.
If, once you’ve read through the book, you would like to discuss taking the next step with Creo and getting a site masterplan, then give us a call. We’d love to discuss your goals for your outdoor space and how we can help you achieve them.
Speaking to one of our experienced playspace consultants on 0800 000 333 is the easiest way to get started.
All of the play elements shown in this book are from Creo projects. We hope they will give you inspiration and ideas for your space. If you are considering working with Creo, they will give you a good sense of our work.
The book is divided into eight sections. Water play, sand play, safety surfacing, play equipment areas, fencing, pathways and bike tracks, shade, and fixed structures.
PlayWater
Water play also provides calming benefits and aids the development of children’s creativity, imagination, and fine and gross motor skills. It also provides the setting for children to develop their social skills as they work together to manipulate this element.
What are the benefits of water play?
Water is a natural element that adds a sensory dimension to a playspace. Children can spend hours playing with water, simply having fun developing and learning. Its benefits can be extended by mixing in natural materials such as sand or mud to encourage more hands-on play.
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Playspace Design + Build
Creo water play options
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This option is connected to a tap and if a hose is not used, the water flows down the log. This option is more sensory as the water can be held or splashed in or played with as it moves down the log. Sand and other natural materials can be used to divert or block the stream of flow. This option is great for younger children who are still learning or wobbly on their feet; the frame of the log allowing them to pull themselves up and assisting them while they stand and play.
Water Streamtapwith river rocks Branch log This option can be used with either a branch log or simple water tap set up. It adds a much greater ability for cognitive, social and imaginative play as children can work to dam, divert, capture or change the flow paths of the water. With this option there is more scope for gross motor skills development through activities such as splashing or jumping in water puddles.
Timber post with tap fixed at child’s height. Locking key tap so adults can adjust when on and the flow rate. Different lengths of hose or hose splitters can be added to this option to extend play value.
Some sites are on a slope which is the perfect situation for a water channel. The slope of the site provides the ‘fall’ required to naturally move water from one place to another. In this way, water play can be used to enhance an otherwise difficult site topography.
Considerations when selecting water play options
Just adding a water tap to the side of a sandpit maximises play value of the sandpit without requiring additional space. A branch log also takes up little room. By contrast, a rock water channel requires much more space.
Some centres are urban and the children at the centre may not have the opportunity for water play at home or in the surrounding community.
Other centres might be in a coastal town, or near a stream, where water play is a natural part of the children’s daily lives. Available Space Cost Topography EnvironmentSurrounding
When selecting your wa ter play options, the cost factor should be balanced out with the benefits the items bring. It’s also im portant to consider what else in your playspace will the water play feature complement.
7. Playspace Design + Build
PlaySand
What are the benefits of sand play?
The sandpit is also one of the best places to learn with many experiences on offer. For example, with its texture and changing consistency when wet or dry, sand has a great sensory dimension.
Sand is also great for social learning. Children need no skill to play with it, so they can easily do so alongside one another other, which is the first step towards playing together.
Sandpits also provide flexible spaces that can be set up in several different ways to capture and develop future interests. For example, one day the sandpit can be a construction site with trucks and rocks, another day it can be set up as an outdoor kitchen with cakemaking and mud pies.
Sand is another natural element that adds hours of fun to your playspace. Children are instinctively drawn to it, making the sandpit one of the busiest places in the playground.
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This option is great for flow, especially in sites where there are other associated sand play options such as outdoor kitchens. You don’t have children climbing over the edge of the sandpit with the related risks. It looks more natural and can often have planting around its edges. It also provides easier maintenance from daily sweeping of sand straight in, or even tipping sand in when topping up.
Creo
Above Ground Sandpit
Built-in Sandpit with Incorporated Water Play
Built-in, Ground-level Sandpit
Above ground sandpits allow for the possibility of seated edges, playable edges or edges used to help separate and contain sand. The down sides are that younger users cannot crawl straight in, sand is harder to sweep back up into the sandpit, and the edge may cause tripping hazards or decrease visual supervision across the site.
This option offers all the benefits of a built-in, groundlevel sandpit, as well as the added advantage of water to create wet sand creations. sand play options
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Some ‘baking’ from students, showing how important openended play is to a childs development. It not only helps them to be creative, but it also stimulates deeper thinking and problem solving skills. Sandpits are always popular and are a great item to activate an unused area. This should be a factor when determining a raised edge or sunken sandpit as sides can become a tripping hazard for younger children. Sandpits need to be located so that children don’t run through other activities to get to them. Also, if they are too close to buildings, sand travels inside very easily.
Activation Age of userLocation 11.
The sandpit is often the main feature on a site. Size, shape and location are extremally important to getting it right and may dictate which option you choose. Edges need to be carefully considered to reduce sand travel as much as possible.
Considerations when selecting sand play options
SurfacingSafety
Colours can be used in a wet poured rubber surface to define areas and themes. Danger areas, such as the end of a slide, can be highlighted and ground patterns in the surface can deliver a theme. More value can be added through the topography of the surface or through useful surfaces like paths, bike tracks and circuits.
surfacing?Safetysurfacingisa basic requirement for flexible play and equipment areas. At Creo, we try to maximise the use of a surface, either using colour, design, or by providing a range of textures and natural benefits.
What are the benefits of safety
A range of surfaces is ideal on a site, creating a balance of materials and textures, natural and synesthetic, providing multiple sensory experiences within the playspace.
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Creo
surfacing
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Provides the full range of benefits and options – it looks great, is easy to maintain, and lasts for years. It’s safe and kids love playing on it. safety options
Grass and Engineered Wood Fibre Synthetic Turf Rubber Safety Surface with Shockpad Synthetic Turf is a long wearing, low maintenance option with a natural look. It’s good in all-weather which makes it a favourite with Early Childhood Centres.
Grass can be considered as a safety surface for items up to 1 metre. However, this can add a lot of wear and maintenance to the site and may limit the use of the site in winter months. Engineered Wood Fibre is a great natural surface that’s low in heat and can even be softened with planting into the surface. Material contamination needs to be considered.
Maintenance is an issue that needs serious consideration when selecting the surface. The difference in maintenance needs between the various surface types is great. A lot of maintenance can be reduced through good design. Can you add play into a required surface? Bike tracks, balance lines, and mazes are just some of the ways you can encourage imaginative play through your surfacing. A balance of artificial and natural surfacing types is important as you want to promote natural materials, but also provide long-lasting playable areas that can be used in all-weather.
Maintenance
Considerations when selecting safety surfacing options
Added Value Balance 15. Playspace Design + Build
AreasPlayFlexible
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What are the benefits of flexible play
areas?IntheECEenvironment, fixed play equipment is a contentious issue. Often there is not the space for big traditional forts and jungle gym type equipment. Furthermore, these types of equipment often make supervision hard and are inflexible. When only one type of play is offered day after day, children can lose interest.
Flexible play areas, on the other hand, provide changing play environments that keep it stimulating and challenging. This is especially important for facilitating development of a range of gross and fine motor skills. Today, Centres are trending towards this more flexible approach.
Flexible Set Up Area with Moveable Equipment
Creo
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Bike Tracks Topography Play
Loose parts play promotes flexible play and opens possibilities for social and cognitive play, as well as physical skills development. It is self-directed and allows children to take risks. Bike tracks can be added very easily to a site, either through the installation of an artificial safety surface, or by painting the track outline on an available hard surface. This allows road rule learning as well as physical bike skills to develop. This is a type of fixed equipment that can be used as a flexible play option. A mound, with or without a fixed slide, offers imaginative options as well as motor skills development. flexible play area options
Spaces need to be the right shape to ensure flexible layout options are possible. Safety surfaces are needed under this type of area. Engineered wood fibre, synthetic turf or rubber matting are all suitable.
Loose Parts Play
The wider the range of experiences the better. A balance of flexible equipment and loose parts is ideal to cover a range of learning and development benefits. Space Flexibility Challenge Location Range
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The size, shape and numbers in your centre will determine the options available.
Spaces need to be dynamic, flexible and responsive to maintain the interest, continued growth and learning of the child. Challenge and risk taking is an important element for ECE aged children. However, you need to encourage this in a controlled and safe way.
Main equipment spaces need to be located in such a way as to discourage direct traffic cutting through the space as a thoroughfare route.
Considerations when selecting flexible play area options
Fencing
Fencing and walls are usually a very underutilised space in ECE environments and often, a great deal of play can be added by fixing items to them. For example - sensory play items, colourful panels, artworks, plants (green walls), interactive items, and windows are just some of the ways we utilise wall space to increase play. This is particularly important for small space to help create a look and feel within a site and to encourage maximum play value.
What are the benefits of fencing?
Fencing needs to be thought about not only an essential barrier, but also as being the first thing the public see from outside the centre. Thought of in this light, you’ll realise that fencing sets the stage and tone of the site – even before the visitor has stepped foot inside.
Once inside, fencing creates a look, mood and feel that can be utilised to encourage a sense of calm, warmth and fun.
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Playspace
Pool Type Fencing
Design + Build
This often looks tidier than a mesh fence but is completely visually open and you may want areas of your centre that are more secluded and private. Eucalypt and bamboo fences have a distinct natural appearance which is great for adding a textured feel to your space. This type of fencing is also visually open but dense enough to provide a sense of privacy. These wall types are often a resource consent requirement and provide a solid barrier with no visibility. This can be altered with additional Perspex windows for children to see out and parents and public to see in. These types of fencing can often add a more stylish feel to your site and extend the range of sensory materials and experiences available. They are usually more expensive and can be limited to certain areas to create specific moods and impressions.
Creo fencing options
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Natural eucalypt or bamboo fencingTimber Noise Wall Decorative Fencing (stone or glass)
Considerations when selecting fencing options Think of walls as vertical play surfaces. Look for ways to utilise this space. Horizontal railings need to be thought out carefully, especially if they are on the inside face as they can become a climbing frame for children. These should match your building and playspace and reflect the look and feel of the environment.surrounding Play Value Fence Structure Materials 23. Playspace Design + Build
Tracks&PathwaysBike
Pathways take up space but are essential for good flow through a site and to help connect everything in a logical way. Logically positioned, they help to reduce wear and maintenance of other surfaces and areas.
Pathways don’t just have to be used for access though. They can also provide play value in the form of bike paths and painted ground games.
What are the benefits of pathways and bike tracks?
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Concrete is a low maintenance option, but it should be used sparingly as it reflects a lot of light and is hard to fall on. It can be painted on quite easily.
Asphalt Concrete Rubber Soft-fall Surfacing
Low maintenance and attractive, rubber surfacing can double as safety surfacing for flexible areas. It comes in many colours and provides additional play value. It is softer to fall on but can be hotter depending on the colour of surface.
Creo pathway and bike track options
Asphalt is a great permanent solution that is easy to install and maintain. Being slightly softer than concrete it does deteriorate faster but is also easier to repair.
Considerations when selecting pathway and bike track options Can your pathway provide additional value? If you are going to add games or markings, you’ll need to ensure you have the appropriate surface type. Does the inmaintenancethat’ssurfacegetspendso,costoutweighmaintenancelong-termcosttheshort-termofyoursurface?Ifitmaybebettertomoreup-fronttoalowmaintenancethanonegoingtobeanightmarethefuture. Is the path located where people are going to use it, i.e. will corners get cut? And is it needed? Use Maintenance Location 27. Playspace Design + Build
Shade
What are the benefits of shade?
Shade is essential over play spaces, especially in stationary play areas like sandpits, where children will sit and play for long periods of time.
A balance is needed - vitamin D in small amounts is important, but safety comes first. Plants, especially lawn areas, will not survive long term under constant shade.
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Trees are a great natural option but will take time to mature. Either deciduous or evergreen can be selected to suit the needs of the space.
These are great for a range of options to cover different areas during the day. Ensure the correct size for the area you want to shade. These can provide larger areas of shade. They can also be taken down in winter or made water resistant so certain areas can be used in light rain. options
Trees
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Creo shade
Moveable Umbrellas Fixed Shade Sails
Colour is important when selecting shade. Darker and primary colours give a very dark and oppressive colour shade and make the shade standout and be noticed. We recommend using grey, beige or similar light colour. This helps the sail to look and feel like they are floating and provide a calmer effect beneath.
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For umbrellas and shade sails, location of poles is often an issue. It’s important to find areas outside of flexible set up areas, pathways, bike paths and out of any ‘desire’ lines as children frequently don’t see them and will run into them as they move about the playspace.
Considerations when selecting shade options
Triangular shades, or sails with very narrow areas, don’t provide much shade beneath. Square shaped shade sails will provide a large consistent block of shade even as the sun moves during the day and are more likely to shade the item you are intending to shade. As the sun moves, so does the shade, and this makes it hard to keep an area consistently shaded. When placing your shade sail, consider where the shade will be at the times when shade is most important for the particular area.
Poles Colour Shape Location
StructuresFixed
What are the benefits of fixed play structures?Fixedstructures(notincludingequipment)areoftenfoundlitteredthroughaplayspace.Thiscanmakecertainareasinflexibleintheirusage. 33. Playspace Design + Build They also run the risk of becoming static and boring after a time. Good fixed structures encourage a multitude of play types and experiences.
A smaller type version of a gazebo, these can be used in the same way. The only difference is that they don’t have a roof. A secret circle also provides a subtle sense of enclosure and a destination to encourage children to explore into an area.
Whare House or Hut Gazebo or Fale Waka Secret Circle
It can often by useful to have one of these types of structures as it provides an area outside that has a sense of enclosure and safety.
Creo fixed play structure options
These are a less flexible item but can provide an additional cultural narrative to a playspace. They can be located on blue surfacing or by a sandpit or water play area to extend a theme.
These can be a great addition to a site due to their flexibility. They can provide a quiet shaded reading area, a permanent stage, a place to set up family type play or have different coloured sheets attached to them to be a fairy hut one day and a pirate hut the next.
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Fixed structures can be a great way to activate corners and therefore maintain visibility across a site. Is it fixed down or can it be moved around the site over time?
Flexibility Location
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Outdoor Kitchen and Table These are great for extending sand and water play and stimulating imaginary and sensory play around a sandpit. Alternatively, they can be added to a mulched planted area for natural mud kitchen type play.
This is a good thing to think about when selecting structures. Can they be used in different ways? For example, can a deck shaped like a bow of a boat represent a boat one day and a stage the next?
Considerations when selecting fixed play structure options
Need some help seeing the big picture? We can help with your playspace ContactAvailablemasterplan.nationwide.uson0800000 334. creospace.co.nz 40 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland 0800info@creospace.co.nz1061000334
