OuUtdoor Challenge 2007: the winners

Now in its fifth year, the Nursery World Outdoor Challenge proved as popular as ever in 2007, with hundreds of entries pouring in for the chance to win a share of 13,000 of prizes and advice.

The message that outdoor play is of vital importance for young children has certainly been heard, and many entries demonstrated a sound understanding of good practice and imaginative ideas for providing an enabling environment. If all these settings succeed in carrying through their outdoor projects, it will enrich the experiences of many young children.

Winner

Jakeman Early Years Centre, Birmingham

Catering for 130 children aged three months to four years, this city centre setting includes a nursery school and neighbourhood nursery in a deprived area. The grounds have no shade when temperatures soar in the summer. Deputy head Kate Evans listed achievements to date including a 'Secret Garden' project, a 'Dora the Explorer' project to engage children with the natural world, and growing and cooking organic fruit. Now, the centre wants to continue with its 'Enchanted Garden' project to include sensory areas for Jakeman children and those from a local special school, an investigation area, permanent sand and water areas, plants from different cultures, and composting. Stay and Play toddler groups, holiday playschemes and the local youth club will also benefit from the developments.

Winning the shade sail, outdoor equipment, and advice will, says Kate Evans, 'make so much difference to our children'.

Runners-up

All Seasons Childcare Nursery, Sutton Coldfield

This daycare setting for 53 nought-to-fives won praise from Ofsted for its use of outdoors. Its comprehensive project includes a friendship stop, growing zone, tree house, recycling area, baby shade, grass mound, storytelling area and interactive pergolas.

Ashingdon School, Essex
Having moved from 'unsatisfactory' to 'outstanding', the school wants to develop its Foundation Stage garden to reflect classroom practice, to ease the transition from nursery to school for very young children and to promote parental involvement, says FS manager Rachel Atkins.

Bolsover Infant and Nursery School, Chesterfield
Foundation Stage co-ordinator Tracey Fieldsend wants to develop an outdoor area to go with the new FS unit. Plans include an activity gym, theatre and musical instruments, and lots of flowers, planters and benches for quiet times.

Haycorns, Dorchester
The pre-school unit of St Mary's Catholic First School is rebuilding, losing some outdoor space but gaining additional land to develop. Unit director Libby Wood would like a fun-filled, inclusive environment with huge sand pit, willow dens and snack- time seating.

North Dorset Children's Centre Nursery, Shaftesbury
The newly-opened setting wants to develop a tennis court area, says manager Tricia Darley, to include growing vegetables and flowers, grass mounds, bird tables, bridges and stepping stones, sand and water play, and willow sculptures.

Oakwood Community Playgroup, Witney
Oakwood's 44 children are being rehoused in a new, permanent building at the end of 2007. The chance for free-flow outdoor play is welcomed by manager Alison Tebbs, with plans for extended continuous provision, an open-sided roofed structure, a wild area, a gardening area, and weather boxes.

Ridge Hill Children's Centre, Stalybridge
Co-ordinator Rachel McHugh wants the outdoor area of this new centre to benefit the whole community, including childminders and parents - and to have the 'wow' factor. A working party is taking forward a design to support all styles and areas of learning.

Shepherds Hill Nursery, Harefield
This new family-run nursery for 20 children has employed an outdoor nursery co-ordinator to help provide a 'magical' experience, says manager Jackie Haynes. To add to the many achievements so far, a gravel exploration area, water feature, weather boxes and willow weaving are planned.

South Norwood Primary School, London
FS/KS1 co-ordinator Charlotte Haggis is running an Outdoor Leaning Area project to allow free-flow play, help address the attainment of black African and Caribbean children, and support transition to KS1. A rich and lasting multi-sensory environment is the aim.

Spondale Children's Centre at Asterdale, Derby
Childcare manager Claire Siddons wants to develop the 'blank canvas' of two outdoor areas with physical, sensory, imaginative and creative zones - climbing equipment, nature trail, tent, weaving board and much more. An alley will become a secret garden or sensory trail.

The prizes
Winner: Shade sail from Keep It Kool, worth up to 10,000; 1,000 of NES Arnold equipment; membership of Early Years Outdoors; site visit from Learning Through Landscapes; one year's subscription to Nursery World.
Runners-up: NES Arnold springy playbag worth 150, membership of Early Years Outdoors.

A big thank you to all our partners and to everyone who entered the Outdoor Challenge 2007, putting in so much time and effort. The best of luck with all your projects.