Our Vision for our Opal Playground
In September 2023, Burlington Infant and Nursery School began its journey to improve our lunchtime play for all by working with a not-for-profit organisation called OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning). We wanted to improve opportunities for physical activity, socialisation, cooperation, coordination, resilience, creativity, imagination and enjoyment through improved play. The OPAL ethos is that playtimes should be active, creative and involve activities that are freely chosen and directed by the child.
Why is play so important?
Incredibly, children in British primary schools spend 20% (the equivalent of 1.4 years) of their time at school in play, so it is a really important part of the school day. Through their play, all children encounter, explore and make sense of the world and their place within it. Play can improve a child’s:
health and wellbeing
cognitive development
social development
understanding of risk and challenge
resilience and character.
When they are really playing, children will use their entire body and exercise every part of their mind.
The OPAL programme rationale is that “…better, more active and creative playtimes can mean happier and healthier children. And having happier, healthier, more active children usually results in a more positive attitude to learning in school, with more effective classroom lessons, less staff time spent resolving unnecessary behavioural problems, fewer playtime accidents, happier staff and a healthier attitude to life.”
What does lunchtime play look like at Burlington?
On average, most Reception to Year 2 children get at least 45 minutes of outside play which enables them to explore all the areas and develop their play. Since September 2023, the play area has doubled and we have various zoned areas. They now have access to:
The Orchard (all year round- regardless of the weather)
The Rainbow Garden,
The Year 1 Outdoor Corridor,
The Year 2 outside Area.
The Main Playground
The MUGA (Multi Use Games Arena)
The children are free to choose where they play, what they play with and who they play with.
As our play space grew, we zoned the playground into the following areas:
Small World Play
Wheeled zone
Loose Parts
Mud kitchen
Music and Dressing up
Rainbow Garden Calm Zone
Chalk zone
Nature and Den Zone – Orchard
What are the necessities for great play? - and how you can help us!
At Burlington we need for your child/children to have certain things in order for them to be able to access great play every day. These include:
The Correct Clothing - “There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Alfred Wainwright.
Things to play with.
Having a certain amount of freedom.
We need your help to make this possible!
The Correct Clothing
A waterproof coat with a hood – We go outside in the rain, cold and mud
A hat for hot or cold days.
Gloves and a scarf, if very cold
Waterproof trousers and wellington boots – We have a wellington cupboard which your child has access to and they can borrow them whenever they wish. Donations are always gratefully appreciated.
Things to play with (loose parts)
If you have any of the above loose parts, we are always very grateful for donations.
If you would like to learn more about the OPAL Primary Programme, please have a look at the OPAL website (www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk), where you will find lots of useful information and several videos about the programme.