September 2024

The children love the new play opportunities that have been developed over the summer.  Our giant ball pit is a huge hit.  The outdoor kitchen is a hub of activity at lunchtime and we have children of all ages digging and creating in our construction area.

October 2024 - Loose parts

The children have been finding different ways to use loose parts such as: Wheeled boxes, plastic crates, bread trays, plastic lids, tyres, tarpaulin, plastic chairs and much more. The children have been using these materials to make dens, boats, cars and slides.

 

November 2024

The children have been busy making a bike track. The children are currently using trikes and balance bikes, sharing and taking turns using the trikes and bikes. 

December 2024

The children have made base shelters to shelter from the rain within the outdoor life area whilst they bake their mud pies. The children have been enjoying jumping in puddles throughout the rain in their wellington boots. The children used plastic items to make kites and wind streamers. 

January 2025

The children have swapped out their bikes and trikes for scooters. The children are enjoying scooting along and have become ever so confident scooter track. 

February 2025 Rough and Tumble 

In February we introduced rough and tumble to our children. This was demonstrated to the children in assembly with very clear rules of play. The children use pool noodles in this area and can also show off their gymnastics skills. This area is very popular with children. They have shown how fantastic they are at remembering the rules of play. 

March 2025 Dance area and quiet zones

The children have been having a great time showing off their dance skills and are enjoying dressing up and playing musical instruments. The children have been busy making tanks, cars and pirate ships within the den building area. They have also been very creative and use their den building and knotting skills to make hammocks. Don't take our word for it, look at the photos!

We were kindly donated two Kayaks, which have come been brought out to our playground. The children are using them in a calm and quiet area for reading, reflecting and a safe space away from lots of noise.

 

April 2025

Our Play assemblies have been going very well. The children are learning about Dynamic Risk and how to keep each other safe enough. 

The children are testing their skills at archery. We have a regular supply of cable reels and wooden pallets from CEF Electrical Thank you kindly, these are coming to great use as the children continue to use their imagination to be creative through play.

 

May 2025 Our first Stay and Play

Thank you to all that could attend our first Opal stay and play. This was an opportunity for the children to show their grown-ups what they do during Opal play and to introduce them to their playground. The children were excited to invite their grown-ups to play. We have booked our next Stay and Play and will be announcing this shortly.

Some of the comments we received:

"I now know why I have to wash my child's coat everyday."

"I am overwhelmed by the amount of oppourtunties the children have to play."

"Well done Bromstone."

"What your doing for the children is fantastic. I don't want to leave."

"Thank you for a wonderful time. It was nice to see my son playing and having fun"

"Amazing job team. My child is more willing to go and play outside now, which means less Xbox time."

"Very impressed, I noticed the growth in confidence. My child is very happy with the set up."

"Incredible choice and variety of activities. Really impressive! Thank you Team for all you do."

"My children both love the freedom they are allowed to have during Opal and being able to play with each other."

"My children are always excited to see what is coming next during their Opal assembly."

   

Since our first stay and play, the children have been making their scooter track bigger, ensuring that it is enclosed with tyres and creating a one way system. This prevents accidents from happening. The children take turns on the scooters and are fantastic are sharing.   They have also been enjoying playing with board games, card games and puzzles with the social area.

    

 Our science team kindly donated a science investigation station to the field. The children can use spades, forks, measuring tapes, magnifying glasses and beakers to carry out their own investigations. 

June 2025