Childsplay active opens up a new dimension of fun for pupils

Youngsters in Leicestershire are enjoying a whole new world of play after the successful installation of a bespoke Notts Sport ChildsPlay Active system at their school.

Pupils at Gilmorton Chandler Primary School, near Lutterworth, were delighted to return after their summer holidays and discover their old playground had been given a wholesale makeover, with a colourful Notts Sport-designed facility installed over the old surface.

Because ChildsPlay Active is available in a range of bright colours and brings together opportunities for sport, play and education in one place, the children are experiencing a new and exciting playground environment. Patterns, games, themes, letters and numbers can be incorporated into the design to promote learning as well as fun and healthy exercise.

"The children are delighted with the new playground and the vibrant new ideas are already enriching traditional sport and play as well as our opportunities to work in an outdoor classroom," says headteacher Marie Sandford.

Shaun Patrick, Chairman of Notts Sport, said: "We are delighted to have been able to help Gilmorton Chandler Primary School transform its playground with our popular ChildsPlay Active system.

"ChildsPlay Active is the ideal solution for a whole range of situations, whether it's creating a new area from scratch or refurbishing an existing one.

"Our top-quality Design & Advisory service is available at no up-front cost so that our clients can be sure they've chosen the perfect scheme before making an investment - and we are proud of the positive response the pupils have given to their fantastic new playground surface."

Charlie, a pupil in Class R at Gilmorton Chandler Primary, says: "I like the interactive bits - the games are fun."

Abbie, from Class D, adds: "You don't have to think of lots of games because there are lots of things on the rug you can do."

Designed to encourage youngsters to enjoy more energetic and healthier lifestyles, ChildsPlay Active synthetic turf surfacing combines opportunities for sports, play and education in one space. This enables schools, architects and play providers around the UK to create the ultimate 'outdoor classroom' without overstretching their budgets.

The unique Notts Sport product can be designed using up to 15 colours and to include lines and markings for traditional playground and ball games. The surface can also incorporate shapes, patterns, letters and numbers whilst an innovative range of educational mats are designed to stimulate learning, meeting elements of Upper Foundation Stages and Key Stages 1 and 2 through imaginative free play as well as structured activities.

While it costs no more than other play surfacing products, ChildsPlay Active is guaranteed to be a long-lasting option, with stronger seams ensuring less maintenance is needed over its lifetime.

The specialist synthetic turf is accessible to youngsters with all levels of physical ability, and minimal energy is needed for wheelchair users to move across the surface, which is designed to meet the North American ASTM standard (F1951-99). With no equivalent European (EN) standard yet in force, ChildsPlay Active is ahead of the game in providing play for all.

What's more, the innovative, porous design of the synthetic turf surface makes puddles a thing of the past and ensures a facility that can be used even after heavy rain. It also offers high levels of resistance to vandalism.