From September 2023, 60 additional pupils moved to our premises from another Nursery School, and this has increased our Early Years and Key Stage One cohort from 120 children, to 180 children. The additional space needed for the extra 60 children, plus the arrival of Early Years (where learning through outdoor play is key), has created a necessity for additional outdoor space. It is essential that this surface is all-weather, so that our Early Years children can learn and play outside all-year-round.
As a school, we must recognise the importance of outdoor play when it comes to the impact it has on early years development. Not only does it act as an integral part of a child's learning opportunities, but it can help massively benefit children's mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Mental health issues among children are rapidly on the rise, so it's important for us to find ways to combat this, ensuring that mental wellbeing is at the forefront of children’s learning, through early years and beyond. Spending time outdoors can have a positive impact on both mental and physical health at any age, so it's important that we encourage it from a young age.
The outdoors presents a different and exciting environment where children can have fun, letting imaginations run wild and offer an escape from reality. Outside is the perfect place for children to make friends, helping develop their social and emotional skills, by engaging in group activities and problem-solving.
Having an outside area allowing children to connect with nature and explore different types of plants can have a calming effect. Spending time outdoors allows children to explore their natural environment and the world around them.
We are struggling financially as many local authority schools are in the UK, so with limited funds, we are trying to fundraise as much as we can for our project.
The money raised will develop an existing area that is very muddy and uneven, providing a brand new astro turf surface. We also need to move some fencing for safeguarding and visibility, and get new fencing around our 'Wild' area, that is located next to the outdoor surface we want to create. Our 'Wild' area contains a pond, so it is critical that we fence this area securely, to prevent any danger to our young children.
The total estimated cost of the project is around £35k. We can just afford to contribute £10k from our school budget, and we have managed to secure a grant of £5k, and hope to raise £5k through our PTA and parents. This leaves £15k to fundraise.
ANY contribution, no matter how small will be of great help and our young children will be very grateful!
THANK YOU!