The Playground

As much as possible, we sought to use sustainable materials and create outdoor classrooms that offer a balance of safety concerns and developmentally appropriate challenges for each age group. Each of the eight classrooms has its own door to their playground. This allows teachers to create an indoor-outdoor classroom along the boardwalk. A canopy overhead means the boardwalk is protected from drizzle and from the hottest sun, making the outdoors accessible on most days. The natural spaces are flexible and can be opened onto each other as children grow and desire greater exposure to challenge. Many of the choices for outdoors lead to collaborative play rather than competitive play. Big outdoor blocks, sand play with suggestive picnic tables, and water elements with a pump all lend themselves to children working out the playing together aspects of being outdoors. These playgrounds can be “isolated” by age group or opened for a whole center-wide experience.