Imperial College EYFS Play Area £220,000
Imperial College EYFS Outdoor Play and Learning Area
School Natural Playground Designers Ltd are proud to announce the successful completion of the Imperial College EYFS Outdoor Play and Learning Area, a project that embodies innovation, creativity, and a deep commitment to natural, child-centered play.
Designed by Robert Sergent- Fairley, this £220,000 project has transformed the college’s outdoor space into a stimulating environment where young children can explore, learn, and develop holistically.
Quote from the staff
"We are thrilled with the new EYFS Outdoor Play and Learning Area,"
"It’s wonderful to see our children exploring, discovering, and learning in such a natural and engaging environment. Every element, from the treehouse to the sensory planters, inspires curiosity and creativity."
"This playground truly supports their development while connecting them with the outdoors."
Over the past four years, Imperial College undertook an extensive review of playground designs from leading UK companies.
From the outset, the college was clear that a conventional modular play area was not suitable. Instead, the vision was for a naturalistic outdoor space that would allow Early Years children to engage in traditional play, learning, and physical activity, while also seamlessly integrating with the surrounding landscape of mature trees and evergreen shrubs.
Features of this Playground
- Timber Activity Structure – climbing and imaginative play
- Tree House – magical hideaway
- Pavilion – outdoor classroom space
- World Garden – interactive planting area
- Rubber Tiles with Grass – safe, all-year surface
- Evergreen Planting – year-round greenery
- Palm Trees – adventurous feel
- Seating Areas – rest and social spaces
- Green Grass Road – imaginative pathway
- All-Weather Design – durable for inner-city use
Following a rigorous selection process, Imperial College unanimously chose the design proposed by School Natural Playground Designers Ltd
. The design stood out for its innovative approach to outdoor play, attention to detail, and ability to meet the college’s high standards across all aspects of the EYFS outdoor area.
The project, completed in just four months, features a wide variety of play and learning elements that encourage creativity, physical activity, and sensory exploration.
At the heart of the playground is a three-level timber multiplay structure, offering climbing, balancing, and imaginative play opportunities. Children can also enjoy a sandpit and mud kitchen, providing tactile experiences that promote fine motor skills and social interaction. A playhouse with an accompanying garden fosters imaginative and cooperative play, while a mosaic tricycle pathway offers a safe and engaging area for wheeled play.
Quotes From Parents
“My child comes home every day buzzing with excitement about the new playground. The treehouse and secret play areas have really sparked their imagination—playtime has never been so adventurous!” “
We love how the outdoor area encourages learning through play. The mud kitchen, sandpit, and sensory planters mean my little one is constantly exploring and discovering new things. It’s a fantastic space for their growth.”
“It’s wonderful to see children so engaged outdoors. The mix of natural elements and creative play equipment makes every visit an adventure, and it’s clear they are developing confidence, teamwork, and independence in the process.”
To accommodate all-weather use, an all-weather play area and multipurpose pavilion were included, ensuring that outdoor activities can continue throughout the year.
Unique features such as a gypsy caravan, woodland area with rustic wigwams, treehouse, lookout tower, and secret timber playhouses enrich the landscape and encourage exploration, problem-solving, and cooperative games. The design also incorporates interactive learning elements, including a water pump and year-round sensory plants in raised timber planters, supporting hands-on experiences with nature.
Every aspect of the playground was carefully considered to promote physical, cognitive, and emotional development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, while maintaining a strong connection with the natural environment. The Imperial College EYFS Outdoor Play and Learning Area exemplifies how thoughtful design can create a space that is not only safe and functional but also inspiring and engaging for young learners.
Robert Sergent- Fairley and School Natural Playground Designers Ltd have successfully delivered a playground that balances creativity, sustainability, and developmental benefit, offering children a rich, immersive outdoor experience that complements the college’s educational ethos.
This project sets a new standard for natural outdoor play areas in educational settings, demonstrating that with careful planning and visionary design, children’s early learning environments can be both beautiful and highly functional.