Natural Playscapes

Play & Learn Upper Coomera

October 17, 2016 by ausplay

Even before stepping through the door at Play & Learn Upper Coomera, your imagination is racing as you are welcomed by the custom built ship bursting through the front fence.

Step inside and you will be greeted by a host of exciting play opportunities designed and constructed by the Ausplay Playscapes team. The design creates several different worlds, all with different focus, within one larger, cohesive playscape.

With a focus on natural and imaginative play, the playscape includes a large sand play area, complete with mud kitchen, sand pit and cascading water over carved sandstone, as well as a digging pit with prehistoric bones to discover – leading into the centres own ‘Dino Land’.

The custom fort is a major centrepiece, with multiple slides, cubbies and entry points, as well as a tunnel that encompasses the new bike track.

Ausplay was also able to make the most of a difficult narrow space behind the building, designing a climbing wall, garden world and exciting tunnel to turn constraints into opportunities for the client.

Cannington Early Learning Centre

February 22, 2016 by ausplay

Located in Cannington, Western Australia, Cannington Early Learning Centre focuses on the importance of learning through play.

Ausplay was proud to be able to design and construct the outdoor playscape for the centre, which centres around the exciting custom timber play structure in the middle of the playscape. The fort features various levels for climbing and role playing, as well as a slide and climbing net. The biggest feature of this fort is the way it is set into a mounded synthetic turf area, that allows for the bike track to wind underneath, which is fast becoming a favourite with the children as they experience multi level play.

The playscape also includes a mud kitchen with hand pump, a digging patch and sand pit for hand on play as well as additional sensory and exploratory activities such as gardening, blackboards and stepping stones throughout.

The active space promotes development of motor skills and upper body strength through the use of balance ropes and planks that allow older children to refine their skills.

Everton Early Learning Centre

February 20, 2016 by ausplay

Ausplay was commissioned by Everton Early Learning Centre to transform their existing yard into an exciting nature based playscape to capture the imaginations of the children under their care.

Ausplay Playscapes created and constructed an assortment of exciting play experiences within the small space, that promote a variety of skills and encourage social activity.

As you walk through the doors you will be welcomed by a colourful archway that also sprays water as part of the larger Waterplay Splash pad. Water sprays, bubbles and pours out of elements in the splash pad, with endless fun to be had in a safe environment.

As you make your way through the playscape, you will find the custom timber play fort, complete with climbing decks, tunnel and double slide, surrounded by a bike track, as well as a sand pit, digging patch and mud kitchen.

A special feature of this centre is the barnyard that is home to chickens and ducks that the children assist in the care of to promote responsibility and engagement with the environment.

Ausplay also incorporated several quiet play elements for imaginative play and story telling, such as the yarning circle, tee pee and story telling areas.

Centenary Childcare

February 20, 2016 by ausplay

Outdoor learning and play is a fundamental part of the Centenary Childcare educational experience. To compliment and enhance this experience, Ausplay designed and constructed an exciting, custom playscape, specifically to meet the needs of the Centre.

Set amongst mature trees, Ausplay created several play zones that bring a variety of opportunities and inspiration. The Wooden Cabin is a feature of the space, to inspire role play and imaginative play.

The playscape also includes a shallow naturalised creekbed with hand pump, decks and digging patch for hand on play as well as additional sensory and exploratory activities such as gardening, blackboards and stepping stones throughout.

Springfield Lakes Early Learning Centre

February 20, 2016 by ausplay

A childs imagination is captured from the moment they see Springfield Lakes Early Centre, when they catch a glimpse of the bow of a pirate ship and its eagles nest sitting proudly above

The experience of the Ausplay team saw an exciting and varied playscape develop within what began as a challenging site. The long and narrow playscape required out of the box thinking and custom elements to maximise space and create a variety of experiences.

The Pirate ship, complete with bell and barrels, was developed to encourage imaginative play while providing levels changes and activities.

The playscape also includes an integrated Waterplay Splash Pad, climbing fort with tube slide and sandpit with a Kuranda Station along the surrounding bike track, all set amongst natural elements.

Another feature of the Playscape is the active play area with long climbing wall and balance activities which assists in developing upper body strength and motor skills – vital skills for growing children.

Smithfield Village Early Learning Centre

February 20, 2016 by ausplay

Located in Smithfield, Cairns, Smithfield Village Early Learning Centre wanted to showcase the natural environment and provide unique learning experiences for their children.

Ausplay Playscapes was able to provide a full custom design that includes several different play experiences, from the Water World Splash Pad and Nature Play Areas to the Bike tracks and specially designed Barnyard.

The Barnyard is a major feature of the Centre, and includes housing for Chickens, ducks and a very special pig. Children are encouraged to participate with the animals and be involved in their care – developing their sense of responsibility and cooperation.

To create even more excitement within the playscape, Ausplay incorporated a Windmill into the playscape that spins and pumps water in a fantastic display of energy and motion that has become a focal point of the area.