Our Play environment consists of indoor and outdoor space. We have access to open playing fields and sheltered woodland.
The outside playground was designed to be used without adult supervision. This decision was made recognising that for the play area to have the most value it needed to be regularly accessible and if it was only available when staffed, then, this would limit its availability to the local community.
The play structures offer a high level of challenge and are high quality “fixed play” equipment rather than “adventure play” structures that would require supervision. Inspected daily, it offers traditional playground experiences such as sliding, spinning, swinging and climbing. We also have a skateboard/b.m.x. half-pipe offering a high level of challenge, originally aimed at older children, but proving popular with all children from 5 years up.
We have found that when we have playworkers available to work in the play area they can promote the opportunities for children to gain the most from the Playground experience. e.g. encourage inclusion, cooperation and fairness.
We have also found that when children play unsupervised they play with more freedom, create and deal with more challenges, and no doubt develop more independence and self reliance. It is this very act of choosing to extend their play range that makes free play exciting and challenging on the one hand and on the other, difficult for many adults to comprehend and appreciate.
Indoors, we have space for play, and have an extensive range of activities for children to take part in.
There are few opportunities for children and young people to engage in activities that they have freely chosen. Mowmacre Playground is staffed by Playworkers who are trained to allow children to play and engage with their environment on their own terms. Playing at the Playground benefits children and young people by:
Providing them with opportunity to enjoy freedom, exercise choice and control over their own actions.
Offering the opportunity to test boundaries and explore risk.
Offering a far wider range of physical, social and intellectual experiences than any other single activity.
Being available at times to suit them.
Providing the opportunity to mix with children of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Giving them the ability to end their play when they choose.
Contributing to the recommended minimum 60 minutes of physical activity all children/young people need daily.
Providing the opportunity to gain confidence and independence in their personal, social and emotional development, their language development, their creative and physical development as well as extending their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
View the Playwork Principles