Access Keys:

 
 
Ballylifford Primary School

ECO CLASSROOM / OUTDOOR LEARNING AREA ASSISTANCE

13th May 2021

ECO CLASSROOM / OUTDOOR LEARNING & PLAY RESOURCES

Dear Parents / Carers,

The school had previously proposed plans to develop our outdoor learning / play area for the whole school in March 2020 but unfortunately the COVID pandemic prevented these plans from going ahead. We have outlined a number of learning areas and resources that would develop the children’s outdoor learning experiences in many curriculum areas. This will also be part of our ECO Green Team Action Plan to maintain our ‘Green Flag’ status.

Our plans are to add an ECO / Sensory area in our new Outdoor ECO Classroom with decking at the front, install a permanent canopy structure with clear perspex to the existing shed in the garden area, power hose so storage shed can be painted, repaint our picnic tables, add a poly tunnel to our raised beds area, add bark to the upper side of the ECO Classroom for outdoor play and add fine stones to the lower side of the ECO classroom for quiet reading area.

We have complied a list of learning areas, resources and materials which would be extremely useful to the outdoor learning area.

LEARNING AREAS RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED
  • Water area
  • Sand area
  • An orchard
  • A bug house / hotel
  • A buddy bench
  • A fairy garden
  • A mud kitchen
  • Construction area
  • Music area
  • Horticultural area
  • Physical Development area
  • Sensory area
  • Play Panels
  • Reading Corner
  • Willow tree tunnel
  • various sizes of cable reels
  • Wooden pallets, wooden planks, wooden benches
  • peat / compost / bark / fine stones
  • logs, raised flower / vegetable beds
  • concrete blocks / bricks / larges stones / paving stones
  • tyres, wood
  • guttering / plastic piping
  • large buckets / basins
  • plastic buckets and spades
  • any outdoor toys that you may not use anymore
  • old stainless steel kitchen sinks with drainer
  • old kitchen utensils and saucepans
  • plastic bottles crates
  • bird houses / feeders
  • plastic bucket seats
  • old wellington boots for planters

These developments will provide the children with the opportunity to learn and play outside whatever the weather. With the ongoing school budget constraints, we are keen to avail of support from any parent or family members who are involved in the construction trade and would be willing to offer advice, and assistance with the development of our outdoor learning area.

If you know of any businesses that would be generous to donate any of the above, or at a reduced cost, please let us know, as we would really appreciate it.

We have attached a document with images of our proposed plans.

Many Thanks

Mr McElroy