A real challenge: a mean, cramped space bounded by wall and fencing, the only bit of outside available to this nursery. Even we gave in to the practical need for artificial turf – usually anathema to us – balanced, we hope, by planting along the walls.
We created a softer, sensory, manipulable and aesthetically pleasing environment. Nearly all features bespoke.
One outcome reported to us by staff was the change in the children’s behaviour: less frenetic use of bikes (bike use changed from being one of the main activities – not surprisingly, there was little else to do – to being hardly used at all); more absorbed play; less disputes.
