Kilsyth Kids Educare Centre
When this privately run early learning centre wanted to upgrade its outdoor areas, Great Spaces delivered a safe, stimulating environment across three age-specific play spaces – from babies to kindergarten.
Brief
The centre had three separate yards serving babies, toddlers, and kindergarten-aged children. After years without upgrades, the play areas were lacking clear structure or variety. The old sandpit’s contents were now strewn across half the space. The brief was to revitalise each yard with surfaces and play features tailored to the different age groups, creating safe and stimulating spaces that encourage exploration, active play, and imaginative learning.
Design
Working from an existing design, our role was to transform each yard into a distinct play environment:
- Babies’ yard: Soft-fall rubber and synthetic turf create a simple, safe surface where staff can bring out play equipment. A small sandpit and shade protection provide tactile play opportunities while maintaining a gentle space suitable for infants.
- Toddlers’ yard: A hexagon-shaped sandpit, a 400mm-deep soft-fall play pit with concrete surrounds, and a bike track were installed to offer more adventurous play options. The layout introduced different textures and zones to challenge toddlers while remaining safe and manageable.
- Kindergarten yard: A circular bike track with integrated ground features provided opportunities for imaginative play and physical challenges. The track doubled as a cooperative play circuit, encouraging children to navigate obstacles together.
Native planting throughout the site softens edges, introduces shade, and creates a natural setting that will mature over time.
Construction
Our team transformed the site from a sand-strewn expanse into three defined play yards. Old surfaces were replaced with synthetic turf, rubber soft-fall, and sandpits, each carefully contained. Concrete retaining edges were poured for the toddler play pit, while bike tracks were shuttered, poured, and finished for durability. Hardy native planting beds added greenery and sensory value.
The result balances safety and playfulness, giving each age group a dedicated yard with age-appropriate challenges. Families, staff, and children responded positively, and the centre has since engaged Great Spaces for Stage Two, which involves extending the bike track with new shade sails and soft-fall areas.
