It's fine outdoors for prizewinners
Nicole Curnow
Wednesday, March 3, 2004
The first prize in the Outdoor Challenge competition run by Nursery World and Learning Through Landscapes has gone to the Red HouseChildren's Centre in Bristol. More than 200 entries flooded in from settings eager for the chance to win 2,850 worth of equipment and advice to help redevelop their outdoor areas.
More than 200 entries flooded in from settings eager for the chance to win 2,850 worth of equipment and advice to help redevelop their outdoor areas.
Liz Roberts, editor of Nursery World, said, 'For the second year running, we were deluged with high-quality entries from settings desperate to offer children the best possible outdoor experiences.'
The judges were impressed with the Red House staff's commitment to outdoor play and their understanding of the importance of outdoor provision.
With careful observation of children's interests, behaviour, choices and comments, they have established a thriving back garden with two small lawns, plants, shrubs, a vegetable patch and a pond. The children have been involved every step of the way, choosing which seeds to grow, planting and watering them, and harvesting the produce.
A team of experts from Learning Through Landscapes and Hand Made Places, the makers of timber-framed play equipment for nurseries and schools, will be visiting the Red House to discuss visions for the future and prepare a complementary five-year nursery grounds development plan.
The centre will also receive one year's membership to Learning Through Landscapes and a 2,000 voucher for a specially commissioned piece of equipment created by Handmade Places.
Donna Andrews, the early years practitioner who submitted the entry, said, 'This is an ambitious, ever-evolving, child-inspired and child-centred vision which will be a true product of teamwork between children, parents, carers, practitioners and the community.'
Ten runners-up in the compettition will each receive 100 worth of Step by Step outdoor equipment and a year's membership to Learning Through Landscapes. They are Carnegie Careshare Nursery in Dumfermline, Redford House Nursery at the University of Surrey Roehampton, Nursery Hill Primary School Early Years Unit in Nuneaton, Moulsecoomb Primary School in Brighton, YMCA Day Nursery in Bath, Navigation Primary School in Altrincham, Cheshire, Ridgeway School in Warwick, Swiftdale Day Nursery in Northumberland, Highways at Hamstreet Kindergarten in Ashford, Kent and Chapel Grange Montessori Nursery in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
The winners will be highlighted in a Nursery World feature on 25 March.
