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

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