My Dream Preschool Outdoor Play Space

I'm Back! I know I know ... I've done this before. I really should upload my teaching reflections from 2021 because I started out strong, but then a 15 week lock down happened and I was 'teaching' preschool from home! Longest. Term. Of. My. Teaching. Career! Not to mention the toll it took on my personal sanity. But that's not why I'm back. I'm back because I have a new job in 2023! I am so exicted to be a preschool teacher full time. 

Yo. New job. Familiar team. And an outdoor space with tons of potential. I have finally landed my dream job. It only took me 4 years. And slowly the excitement is building. I am still pinching myself and worrying that it might disappear. 

So since I have a couple of months to dream and fantasize, I thought I might use this space to do that! I have already created some Pinterest boards, some ideas webbing and interviewing the current preschool class. I am so lucky I have the luxury to ask the current students what they like, either in words or through observation. Play is of course one of the hundred languages of children. 

I was having a lovely time on Friday when I was backfilling the current preschool teacher. I was watching my students engage in the entire outdoor area and I was pondering what next years students might like. There are of course the common interests of children that we can leverage to help children settle and develop their sense of belonging to a new community and space. 

Construction items had been put in the sandpit and they children were so amazingly engaged. Dolls indoors have been crazy loved as well, so of course we'll need to bring those outside. I'll bring my home made dolls, and I'll make a few more. Those can live inside my new classroom. And the existing dolls collection can move outside to the veranda and the other spaces. 

Small World Play in an Outdoor Play Space

Urban Road Small World Inspo 

This idea came from DigsDigs. 

It features a small urban setting with pebbles, rectangular and square pavers in a dark gray, lava rocks, bark and leaf mulch, a strategic small shrub, toy cars and vehicles intimate nook to engage in some pretend play.

I have been wanting to make a space like this for years. And when I say years, I mean years. I had plans to do this in the last centre I was manager, but the staff were so apathetic and it wore off on me in the end. After 4 years I had the early childhood life sucked out of me. So it has taken years to recover from this burnout and I am now in a position with a supportive team, in a healthy work environment, AND I don't have to hold back as I'm not waiting for the permanent teacher to return, because I know she won't be. So I can let my imagination run wild! 

Image from The Keeper of Cheerios

Image from Pinterest

I really love the above idea using a magazine rack for the wooden roads. I really love these so much! I can't tell you! And I love that they are made portable. So I will DEFINITELY be making these, and I cannot wait to put them into action. 

Construction Zone Small World Inspo 

This idea came from DigsDigs. 

They have some awesome ideas! This deceptively simple outdoor small world play space features pebbles, mulch, sand and has section dividers using pavers. There are also pipes, rocks, tree trunks or thick branches and soil. It really is a sensory wonderland.  This space could be built using repurposed materials that you may have laying around or would be easily purchased from a large hardware chain that rhymes with Runnings *nudge-nudge-wink-wink*

Image from Pinterest

Image from Pinterest.

Photo from Kinzie + Riehm via Pinterest

 

Dinosaur Small World Inspo

I of course MUST include a dinosaur small world. 

Found on Pinterest. @playful_porter

Magical Nooks and Sacred Spaces

This idea came from DigsDigs. 

 

This is a colorful teepee covered with yarn, pompoms, buntings, flags and other bright embellishments plus potted greenery.

We actually already have an existing wooden teepee structure. While I would love to create a new one using branches, it would be a silly double up. BUT while looking at this image I was inspired to embellish the teepee we already have. And I'll have to take some before and afters of course and then share them here. 

I can use the existing structure and then weave in some branches and create more of an organic frame. We can then add in some bling and make it gorgeous. I'm doing it. I can see it in my mind. I can't wait to start. I will have to wait since I'm not in the space yet. But making my vision board is totally how I get there. 

So now I can add in a wish list. I can make bunting myself, create some pompoms and add in some strips of fabric scraps since I have some rainbow fabric I found the other day! I've been carrying this fabric around since a job in 2009. Time to use it elsewhere and turn it into something else: bunting.

The teepee we have is already part of our sensory garden that I am working on establishing further, so adding in some potted plants would be a fabulous addition! 

Insert New Space Idea Here 

THIS BLOG IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRCTION ... I AM WORKING ON IT IN THE BACKGROUND OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. SO STAY TUNED.