Guest Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I've got a bit of money allocated to spend out outside play equipment and was curious to find ouit what sort of resources you all have for your outside area and if there was anything you would recommend or anything that you have bought and regret. I'm thinking permanent equipment as well as resources that can come and go as requested by the children. I look forward to reading your replies x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mundia Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 are you talking a lot of money? And do you have very much space? If I had a fair bit of money I would probably develop a garden of some sort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Lots of streamers on sticks and picnic tables Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Carpet sample squares 4 for £1 from the local carpet shop (money raised donated to Children in Need) We have a pile and the children cart them around if they want to sit as 80% of the outside is tarmac, use them in their role play for houses etc or small world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlettangel Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 If you have a covered area...... a board fixed to a wall and painted with blacboard paint, perspex attached to a wall with clips.... for outdoor painting. Lots of crates, guttering, pipes, a little water butt (we used an old wine barrel) Materail and pegs for dens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 This might sound a bit of a dippy question, but if they paint on perspex attached to a wall, doesn't the paint run down the wall when it's cleaned off? Thinking about it, I suppose it depends on how much water you use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earlyyearsjules Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Hi, I'd be tempted to make the outside area suitable for all weathers and times of the day. Have you thought about an awning which be good for rainy days and really hot days. Wellies and oull over macs that could be kept at nursery. A decent, coverable sand pit. And, although quite expensive Community Playthings large blocks, http://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/products/blocks/hollowblocks/B501.html (kept inside but wheeled outside in their case) are fantastic for childrens' imaginations: making dens and cars etc... Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hali Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 real tools! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 We are getting two wigwams! woooopp! sorry...a little excited...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Thanks for all your replies - I've probably got about £1000 to spend - not sure whether to go for a bigger item or develop boxes with lots of different resources. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 We borrowed a 'windy day' resource box from our local resource centre. Do you have one of those? If so, you could try there first and borrow things before purchasing, to make sure that you get what you really want Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 (edited) I would definately get those community play blocks, we loaned some from our LA for a term and oh my goodness, the children loved them and were so upset whent the EYAT took them back that the manager said "oh blow the budget" and bought us some of our own! They inspire the most wonderful,y creative play, if we read a story before we go outside, you can bet your bottom dollar that the children will somehow incorporate these blocks into recreating the story themselves. (A bridge in 3 Billy Goats Gruff, a Caravan from Ted's Shed, A Boat from Mr. Gumpy- you get the idea). They also like to make see-saws from them and balancing obstacle courses, everything! Can you tell I think they're mega? Other suggestions: - drain pipes/guttering, we have some loose and some fixed to the fence for construction and also, water/small ball shutes. - Camoflauge netting, makes a fabulous den. - A Couple of A frames, barrels, planks, for some Climbing Opportunities - A water but with a tap. I think the best outside resources aren't really expensive things, a box of fabric and pegs to build dens, some dolly pegs and ribbon to make streamers for the windy days, tyres for planting in or climbing on. Pots of water and paintbrushes for painting the fence, chalks for mark making on the floor. Ohh have fun with your outdoor area, I loved developing ours and I'm moving rooms on Monday so I get to do it all again in 2-3's YAY!. HTH Edited February 8, 2009 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 You lucky thing! Do you get a budget too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 You lucky thing! Do you get a budget too? Me?????? If so then no, no budget. Generally our nurseries budget is "the cheaper the better" lol It's all good fun though, makes me think about things a lot more. That said, we do have a £40 credit note for B and Q so we may well be spending that. I love the outside area, it get's me all excited and child like! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Where did you get your big blocks from - and have you got a picture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyMaz Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Where did you get your big blocks from - and have you got a picture? earlyearsjules posted the link a few posts up Cait! I can thoroughly recommend them - best investment I ever made in terms of resources! Maz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I have a numeracy trolley (just the plastic storage type from argos) and filled it with various resources including skittles, large plastic snakes and ladders with large dice, and number tiles. Also have a CLLD one filled with pots and paintbrushes, chalks, ribbons on sticks, paper. These trolleys just get wheeled in and out each day and are easy enough for the children to wheel about too! Also because they are waterproof they can come out in any weather. Ive also stapled plastic wallets to the fence with writing materials in (pencils, crayons, felt tips) and numbers for pegging on a number line. I bought some hanging baskets and filled with plastic musical instruments which can also stay out whatever the weather. Also we have pots and pans and various cooking utensils hanging on the fence which act as musical instruments. These were donated by parents. The children decorated them with paints too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Ah, wasn't sure if she meant the same ones or not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 (edited) Where did you get your big blocks from - and have you got a picture? They are the Community Play Blocks that Early Years Jules Mentioned, they were about £300 but as I said, the children were mortified when the loaned ones went back so the manager 'juggled' the budget so that we could have them. Bless her! It's the most expensive piece of kit we've had since the nursery was built and resourced 10 years ago! lol! Definately agree Maz, they are fab! Edited February 8, 2009 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Awww there's some fantastic stuff on that site - what could you do if you had money eh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyMaz Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Awww there's some fantastic stuff on that site - what could you do if you had money eh! Indeed Cait - but my theory is that they last so long that if you work out the cost on a per child/per day play value they represent extremely good value for money! Am still wondering if I can get havennursery's Community Playthings table in my cupboard - but have to remember Peggy's is still calling out to be danced on! I really want a self-selection trolley from Community Playthings next - and you can buy the display board that attaches to the back so it can act as a room divider too. Guess what my final EYPS payment is going to go on?! Can I put that in my SEF? Maz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hehe - I've got to wait till March till I find out if I've got a room to put it in though really Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earlyyearsjules Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Hi, Community playthings sell the blocks. All different sizes. the website is http://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/produ...ocks/index.html and I've attached a picture. Hope it helps, they are great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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