EYFS Playground Design & Install -Beeston Fields Primary School, Nottingham | Absolute Play - Case Study
- Absolute Play
- May 26
- 3 min read
📌 Project snapshot
Sector: Education / Primary School
Age range served: EYFS
Key project drivers: Beeston Fields Primary School wanted to refresh and elevate their existing EYFS courtyard without completely redesigning the layout. The goal was to improve the look, feel and functionality of the space through upgraded surfacing, stronger zoning and greater future flexibility, whilst creating a brighter, more practical environment for daily Early Years use.
Equipment type: Shelter, sand & messy play features, surfacing and zoning improvements.
Surfacing: Artificial Grass Overlay & Resin Bound Gravel.
Budget: £40,000+VAT
Project summary - EYFS Playground Design & Install
Absolute Play delivered a thoughtful EYFS Playground Design & Install project at Beeston Fields Primary School, carefully working with the existing courtyard footprint to create a more flexible, future-proofed outdoor learning environment.
Through upgraded surfacing, improved zoning, sheltered play opportunities and enhanced sand and messy play provision, the courtyard was transformed into a brighter, more versatile EYFS space with strong potential for future development.
The brief
The school wanted to improve their existing EYFS outdoor provision whilst retaining the general layout of the courtyard.
The aim was not a complete redesign, but rather an intelligent enhancement of the space through better surfacing, stronger visual zoning and additions that would improve usability, shelter, messy play and flexibility for future teaching and play needs.
The school also wanted a more practical, natural-feeling environment capable of supporting a broad range of EYFS activities throughout the year.
Our solution
Key Equipment:
• 5m Timber Hexagonal Shelter for shade, outdoor teaching and dry play.
• Bespoke covered sleeper sandpit.
• Bespoke covered sleeper mud / digging pit.
• Resin bound gravel discovery and messy play zone.
• Multiple artificial grass overlay zones to create distinct activity areas.
• Raised sleeper edging upgrades to strengthen existing mud kitchen areas.
Design approach:
Rather than completely reworking the footprint, our design focused on elevating the existing layout through improved zoning, upgraded finishes and future flexibility.
Distinct activity areas were created using surfacing transitions, helping define play experiences whilst maintaining strong flow across the courtyard. Artificial grass zones softened the space, resin bound gravel introduced texture and natural tones, whilst new sheltered areas strengthened all-weather usability and supported outdoor learning.
The addition of sand, digging and messy play features created richer discovery opportunities within a practical and adaptable layout.
Materials & surfacing
Equipment materials used
• Timber shelter structure.
• Bespoke sleeper construction for sand and mud play features.
• Timber edging details around existing play zones.
Surface types used
• Play Grade Artificial Grass Overlay used across multiple zones to soften the courtyard, improve usability and strengthen visual zoning.
• Resin Bound Gravel Surfacing in sand tones to create a natural, durable and low-maintenance discovery play area.
These materials were selected to balance practicality, aesthetics and long-term flexibility within a busy EYFS environment.
Installation
The project included careful removals and adaptations to prepare the existing courtyard for redevelopment, including removal of old play equipment, shelters, sandpit elements and isolated features, alongside wetpour repairs ready for surfacing overlays.
Installation access presented additional challenges, with materials and works requiring approximately 25 meters of access through the building with internal protection measures, making logistics and sequencing an important consideration during delivery.
The outcome
Beeston Fields Primary School now benefits from a brighter, more cohesive EYFS courtyard that offers clearer zoning, stronger flexibility and improved opportunities for discovery, messy play and outdoor learning.
The upgraded environment feels more natural, more practical and better equipped to support evolving EYFS teaching approaches and future development.
Looking to create something similar?
If you're planning an EYFS Playground Design & Install project or looking to elevate an existing outdoor space without starting from scratch, we'd love to help.
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