Creation of a Children's Garden

I'd had my eye on a particular patch of greenery for quite some time and had been observing it through the seasonal changes to gauge its potential as a children’s garden. It sits at the end of the Junior School corridor but the puzzling fact that it was surrounded by a thick hedge meant that we couldn’t access it. A number of reasons why we couldn’t use it had been given, but only ever anecdotally and none of the reasons seemed insurmountable. So I designed a proposal as a part of an outdoor learning and play spaces revamp, got the go-ahead and, one fine day, a entrance way cut appeared in the hedge and we were allowed in!

Stepping inside this space for the first time was truly magical. It is a well-established garden with trees and flowering shrubs and is a haven for birds and butterflies. Though not a huge garden, once inside, you feel far removed from the rest of the school as it offers a deep feeling of calm and connection to nature. Staff and children took to it instantly; the crèche children could be heard squealing in delight as they crawled under and through the bushes, playing hide-and-seek and as they scaled the trees. Before the summer weather turned unbearable, teachers were able to take their children out in this natural classroom. There so much potential in this garden for our children, many of whom live in city apartments, to engage all their senses and explore nature in various ways.

In our takeover of the the garden we have built two huts out of natural materials. Both are made from branches, bamboo and palm leaves and exude the most delicious, earthy smell. They provide wonderful play and learning spaces and children have been able to observe the construction techniques involved in their creation.

The Teepee

The Mud Hut

Children's Own Tent House

We’ve also put in a log obstacle course for scrambling and balancing. Of course, the items from the loose parts playground make their way in and out of the garden every day and children escape into the richness of their imaginations. As I’m writing this, sitting in the garden, I’m overhearing the pretend play of two four year-olds as they create a ‘campfire’ and sing improvised songs while they build together. The drama has taken a new turn with one child being ‘chased by a wolf’ and in need of rescue. The wolf has turned into a ‘robber’ and now a ‘monster’. Somehow the experience of being outdoors sparks the creative mind in all sorts of unexpected ways. Even the teachers have been enjoying holding our collaborative planning meetings out here too!

Scrambling Logs

Tree Climbing

We have many other plans in the pipeline for engaging in this wonderful space. Once some logistical hurdles have been overcome, we will be able to create plots for flower and vegetable growing and hope to see artwork, music, creative writing, construction nature observation, science/tech projects and pretend play continuing to blossom in the garden.