Case Study: Richardson Endowed Primary

The brief

The staff at Richardson Endowed wanted to transform their playground into an interactive play and learning environment for their Key Stage 1 classes. Before Red Monkey arrived, the playground was a square of grey tarmac with a canopy shelter at the centre and a few playground markings - not the most inspiring place for the children to play!

The Red Monkey design team set to work planning out a play area that includes favourites from our play and learning range, while making the most of the features already present in the play area. The final design included one of our popular Pirate Ship play units in a dedicated pirate play area, and a learning zone that incorporated the existing shelter.

From dusty tarmac...

...to a charming play area!

The H.M.S. Richard Endowed sets sail!

The result

The finished play area is a vibrant environment full of great ways to play and learn. The Crow’s Nest Pirate Ship takes centre stage, with palm trees and coloured safety flooring providing a great role play zone for the kids.

Hide away in the Explorer's Den.

The tarmac play area has been replaced with all-weather play grass, and the existing canopy shelter has been incorporated into the design, filled with play grass of its own and ringed by a path with thermoplastic road markings for children to race around.

The canopy itself has been filled with learning and play panels, perfect for taking the classroom outdoors. Some tables and benches have been added to create an ideal outdoor learning environment. 

The scenic story area.

Elsewhere, the new play area features some interactive learning panels, a reading circle feature our reading chair and rubber mushroom seats, an exciting water wall and our Explorer’s Den, a great hideaway for some creative play.

The reception

Both the kids and the staff at Richardson Endowed were overjoyed by their new play area - in fact, it sounds as though some of the staff are looking forward to playing on the H.M.S. Richardson even more than the kids.

Those smiles make all the work worthwhile!

You can see how pleased they are with the play area over at the Richardson Endowed Primary blog - we love to see children smiling on our newly-installed play equipment.

If you’d like to see similar smiles on the face of your kids, all you have to do is call us today on 0116 366 9922 and arrange a free site visit - we’ll bring some Red Monkey magic to your play area, just like we did at Richardson Endowed! If you'd like to browse our range of great play products, click here to view our online catalogue.

Fun with Den Building

Children love den building - provide them with some space and a few basic tools, and they'll be off making great little hideaway dens. But den building isn't just good fun - it's also a great way to get children to socialise and practice their creative play skills.

The benefits of den building

Challenging & creative play

Den building is a challenge that tests children's physical and mental skills - from planning out the perfect den to making the most of the resources available to build a great hideaway.

Social & imaginative play

Dens are most fun when shared with others - children love to get together and act out stories, whether their new den is a hobbit hole or a fairy cottage. As well as encouraging imaginative play, the act of den building is great to get kids to cooperate and work together to build the best den possible. 

Independent play

Den building is a great way to get children playing in a safe environment without adult supervision, encouraging independent play and creative thinking.

Natural play

Den building is a great way to get children interacting with their natural environment - the best dens are those constructed from the world around them. Involve trees, twigs, rocks and leaves in your den building and get children involved in the natural world.

Some simple den building tips

Children really don't need much encouragement or many resources to start den building - they can build a den almost anywhere! Try taking them out to a safe natural environment and providing them with some simple equipment - sticks, poles, blankets, that kind of thing. You'll be amazed how quickly they can put a den together from next to nothing.

Red Monkey provide a great range of play equipment especially designed to encourage den building - from simple den poles to ready-made outdoor den environments. If you're interested in adding some creative den building equipment to your play area, get in touch in the comments, on Facebook or Twitter, or simply give us a call on 0116 366 9922.

Written by Tom for Red Monkey Play. For more play ideas and great play products, visit www.redmonkeyplay.co.uk.

Case Study: Delves Infant & Nursery School

Our favourite part of any job comes after installation is complete, when teachers and children see their finished play area for the first time. Seeing the looks on their faces makes all the hard work worth it!

Red Monkey recently completed work on an ambitious Outdoor Play and Nature Garden project at Delves Infant and Nursery School in Walsall, and we couldn't be more pleased with the results! And seeing the look on Head Teacher Emma's face when she first saw the new play area, we know the children are going to be even happier than we are!

The brief

Our brief was to create two new outdoor areas at Delves Nursery School - an 'outdoor school area', which was to feature a dedicated outdoor learning area as well as challenging play equipment, and an 'eco zone', a natural garden area with scenic water features and outdoor shelter for learning and relaxation.

Project Manager Richard designed the new areas by combining play products from the Red Monkey catalogue with some bespoke designs created specifically for Delves - including rustic nature houses and a completely original water fountain.

The result was a comprehensive new outdoor area that's completely unique to Delves - you won't see anything quite like this anywhere else!

The reception

Project Manager Richard reveals the new play area to a delighted Emma.

Delves' Head Teacher Emma Ingram loves the new areas - here's what she had to say after we unveiled them:

"Outdoor learning is an important part of children’s physical, social and cognitive development. At Delves Infant & Nursery school we wanted an outdoor area which would inspire and excite our young minds and develop children’s confidence and inquisitive spirit. 

The team at Red Monkey completely identified with our vision, aspirations and ambitious plans. Their professionalism and commitment was consistently exceptional throughout, from the initial pulling together of ideas through to the bespoke design, manufacture and installation of our amazing ‘Eco Zone’ & ‘Forest Schools Area’. We now have an outdoor area that is both unique and extraordinary. We are thrilled!"

Emma Ingram, Delves Infant and Nursery School, Walsall

We certainly can't argue with that - thanks Emma! If you'd like to see how Red Monkey can bring a creative flare to your school or nursery, just give us a ring on 0116 281 3975 to book your free site visit today!

Written by Tom for Red Monkey Play. For more play ideas and great play products, visit www.redmonkeyplay.co.uk.