Great outdoors fun with new all weather play area

Buy photos » Great outdoors! - Three-year-olds Isabel Kingston and Hayeden Walton with Lynne Jacobs in the new outdoor play area. Picture by Neville Collins. 2812023ncr www.buyphotos247.com

A GARDEN party was held at Lickey End Playgroup yesterday (Wednesday) to celebrate the official opening of a new £10,000 all-weather play area and outdoor classroom.

The first phase, which has now been completed, includes a wooden gazebo and an all-weather surface, enclosed by fencing and a gate.

And the next one will see sand and water play, raised bedding plants, sensory mirrors and chalkboards installed.

The project has been funded from a number of different events, including a recent toddlerthon to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the playgroup, which is based at Lickey End Methodist Church, Alcester Road.

Other funding has come from cash raised at fete stalls and the Baron Davenports Trust, which donated £400 to the scheme.

The gazebo will enable the children to learn outdoors and have storytime, along with outdoor role play sessions, in all weathers.

Wednesday’s celebration was attended by parents, children and members of the local community and Giles Carless, manager of The Forest Harvester in Lickey End, officially opened the area.

Project co-ordinator Lynne Jacobs said: “The all-weather area is a vital part of outside play, as previously we were unable to use the garden when it was wet underfoot.

“All staff and children are pleased with the garden as it will provide us with an extra room to use. We feel very fortunate to have this at the setting.”

The area will also be used by the popular toddler group and is designed to be accessible by parents with pushchairs.

Planning began last September after staff visited other sites with outdoor play areas.

All parents were given a questionnaire and the children were also quizzed on what they wanted.

And a model went on display at the church to show parents and children what was being planned.

Lickey End Playgroup runs four days a week, the parent/carer toddler group operates every Thursday morning and the Rising Stars sessions, for those the year before they start school, are on Thursday afternoons.

For more details, call 07791 851382 or e-mail lickeyendplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk.

Regional news »