Beating the Bog
A BOGGY garden and inclement weather were proving unwelcome
obstacles to play times for a Tamworth pre-school until they called
in the playground experts.
After securing a Sure Start grant head teacher of St
Gabriel’s Pre-School, Theresa Miller, called in an
award-winning Wiltshire-based company, Playforce, to solve the
problems. Now every day is an outside play day for the
children.
Playforce laid an all-weather green fabric covering over the
grassy area of the garden and built a shelter over part of the
rubber coated play area.
“It’s just brilliant and a fantastic asset to the
pre-school,” said a delighted Mrs Miller. “The parents
got a chance to see it last week and they were really impressed
too.
“Bad weather definitely doesn’t put the
children off playing outside now. They don’t get
covered in mud any more either and the shelter doubles as an
outside classroom, which makes learning much more fun.”
Mrs Miller explained that finding a company to do the job had
not been as easy as she thought as several refused to even consider
the work because it was too small a project.
“Playforce couldn’t have been more helpful, the size
of the job just didn’t come into it, in fact I was so
impressed with the service we’re already looking for more
funding so we can buy the play train they provide,” said Mrs
Miller.
As well as offering places to pre-school children, St
Gabriel’s also runs an after school club, which means the
equipment satisfies double the number of children.
According to Mrs Miller the shelter has been the perfect place
for a picnic tea and has inspired some amusing imaginative
play.
For more information relating to Playforce please visit
www.playforce.co.uk