Grange Road Kindergarten

BoonWurrung / Bunurong Country

Victoria

This was a complicated site necessitating creative design solutions, including the refurbishment of existing infrastructure for play and whimsy. Artist in residence, Gay Chatfield, was engaged to weave a large sculptural play piece onsite, speaking intrigue and learning from both educators and children who initiated weaving projects of their own.

Play and therapeutic elements with varying levels of complexity were integrated throughout the design to enable all children to engage. Storage was integral to this design as were open ended and formal learning spaces, designed to enable child led learning and facilitate intentional teaching within the outdoor spaces.

The completed project has activated depth and richness in the children’s play. Exploration, courage and skill mastery is demonstrated daily by the children who have embraced the flexible nature of this space to facilitate their own extension of play and learning.