Request a callback
0800 389 9072

Creating an Inclusive Outdoor Space: Tips for Schools and Nurseries

Creating an Inclusive Outdoor Space: Tips for Schools and Nurseries

Inclusivity is a vital focus for teachers in the classroom, but it’s equally important to consider how outdoor spaces can accommodate all ages, abilities, and interests. A well-designed playground not only promotes enjoyment but also offers valuable learning experiences for every child, including those with physical, cognitive, and sensory needs.

Below are our top tips for ensuring your outdoor area is a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children:

Top Tips for Playground Inclusivity

  • Accessible Design: Install ramps for wheelchair access and ensure play panels and activities are at a height suitable for younger children and those in wheelchairs, promoting active participation for all.

  • Quiet Zones: Create a designated quiet space for children who prefer a calm environment, which is particularly beneficial for those with hearing impairments or who find busy spaces overwhelming.

  • Seating Arrangements: Provide face-to-face seating options, such as benches or picnic tables, to support lip-reading, sign language, and the development of social skills through facial expressions and gestures.

  • Sensory Stimulation: Introduce a variety of textures, light, and shaded areas to create a stimulating environment for children with cognitive or sensory impairments, promoting engagement and exploration.

  • Accessible Surfaces: Include firm surfaces in your design to ensure easy movement for children in wheelchairs, enhancing mobility and independence.

  • Shade and Shelter: Incorporate shaded areas to provide a cooling space on hot days and shelter from rain, ensuring the outdoor space is usable all year round.

  • Sensory Gardens: Plant a sensory garden with reachable flower beds, allowing all children to touch, smell, and experience nature, offering a natural contrast to man-made play equipment.

  • Musical Elements: Add outdoor musical instruments, like large chime bells, which can be enjoyed by children with hearing impairments who can feel the vibrations, creating a multi-sensory experience.

Why Install a Canopy?

An outdoor school canopy is a cost-effective solution to maximise the use of your outdoor space. It offers year-round protection, allowing children and staff to enjoy the outdoors regardless of the weather. Canopies can support child development through outdoor learning, making them an attractive option for grant funding.

Funding Opportunities

Transforming your outdoor area into an inclusive space can often be funded through grants, as these projects provide developmental benefits to children. To explore available funding options for schools, nurseries, and community projects, download our Funding Guide:

Able Canopies Ltd. design, manufacture and install canopies and shade structures
at schools, nurseries and educational settings to enable year-round
Free Flow Outdoor Play and Outdoor Learning.
For more information please contact us

Follow us on our social media accounts for the latest funding advice, new products & latest news:
Twitter | Facebook | Google + | Linked In

Back to Blog

Categories

See also

Design and Specifications
BIM and NBS