New behaviour and physical activity improves in playground at Ipswich

A new installation at an Ipswich Kindy holds the secret to happy children — with educators also reporting improvements in behaviour.

Ashton Freeman on the new playground at Winston Glades Early Education Centre.

A new nature focused playground at an Ipswich kindergarten is helping improving children’s behaviour according to educators at the centre.

Winston Glades’ Early Education Centre have seen major holistic improvements in their students after a new 935 square metre outdoor playground installation by Wearthy.

The upgrades have seen traditional play elements like slides and ropes, incorporated with new sensory nature focused play equipment taking inspiration from the surrounding area’s greenery.

Dylan Muggeridge and Issak Breed exploring the new playground installation.

Founder of Wearthy, Lukas Ritson said the goal was to work with the current outdoor space at the kindy and include new innovative play spaces for students.

“We utilised traditional play elements as well as innovative play features in line with the centre’s existing practices – such as walking tracks, a vegetable garden, and sensory retreats for bush kindy,” Mr Ritson said.

“We landed on creating a space that acts as a bridge to nature based practices and outdoor bush kindy that is a part of their existing program.

A study led by Wearthy at the Flinders View childcare centre found students steps had increased by 39 per cent in one hour since the installation of the new design.

“We know the increase in physical activity results in an abundance of developmental benefits.

“Seeing such a drastic increase during just an hour a day outside playing means that our children are improving mobility skills that are crucial to helping them stay active later in life.

“Their increase in steps is also a reflection of increased curiosity, engagement and a sense of adventure – all vital to facilitating confidence and letting kids be the leader of their own play experiences, which will transcend into future decision making.

The old outdoor play space at Winston Glades Early Education Centre.

Winston Glades Early Learning Centre, Centre Director Lisa Harris said the children were able to grow and develop as they progress through the different types of play.

“There has been such a noticeable change in the children’s play and behaviour,” Ms Harris said.

“The outdoor learning environment is calm, and children are engaging in all areas of the play space.

“They are able to explore different gross motor skills as the environment supports different levels of development and skills.”

Addalyn Anderson, 4.

Four-year-old Winston Glades Early Learning Centre student Addalyn Anderson said they loved playing in the new outdoor space.

“I love hanging upside down like a monkey on the monkey bars,” Addalyn said.

“There’s so much to do and I love going on adventures!”

New playground installation at Winston Glades Early Education Centre.

Originally published as New behaviour and physical activity improves in playground at Ipswich