Sensory EYFS Playground - Roose Primary School, Barrow-in-Furness | Absolute Play - Case Study
- Absolute Play
- May 26
- 3 min read
📌 Project snapshot
Sector: Primary Education
Age range served: EYFS
Key objectives: Roose Primary School had a tired, uninspiring EYFS outdoor area that was no longer fit for purpose. The space suffered from poor drainage, lacked engaging play opportunities and failed to fully support outdoor learning and sensory exploration. The school had a fixed £40,000 budget, meaning the challenge was to deliver maximum play value, creativity and impact within tight financial parameters to create a Sensory EYFS Playground.
Equipment type: Sensory play, messy play, water play, outdoor learning, role play, performance space & natural play features.
Surfacing: Artificial grass, resin bound gravel, sensory paving finishes.
Budget: £40k+VAT
Project summary - Sensory EYFS Playground
Absolute Play worked with Roose Primary School to deliver a complete Sensory EYFS Playground transformation, transforming a tired and underperforming outdoor space into a vibrant environment rich in sensory discovery, messy play, outdoor learning and imaginative experiences.
Working within a strict budget, the scheme packed significant impact into a relatively compact footprint, introducing stronger zoning, improved drainage solutions and a broad range of engaging EYFS play opportunities.
The brief
The school wanted to completely revitalise their EYFS outdoor area, which had become tired, uninspiring and increasingly unsuitable for daily Early Years use.
Poor drainage issues beneath the canopy area were affecting usability, whilst the wider environment lacked sensory interest, outdoor learning opportunities and purposeful play provision. The school wanted a richer, more engaging space that better supported messy play, exploration, creativity and learning — but crucially, this needed to be achieved within a fixed £40k budget.
Our solution
Key Equipment:
• Water Play Tables & Chute
• Water Wall
• Bespoke Hexagonal Activity Pits — Play Sand, Pebbles & Pea Gravel
• Sensory Pathway
• Large Mud Kitchen
• Bespoke Triangular Digging Pit
• Star Stage
• Outdoor Learning / Resource Sheds
• Engraved Benches
• Sleeper Planter & Natural Planting
• Large Wall Mounted Blackboard
Design approach:
The design focused on delivering maximum impact and play value within a limited budget. Clear zoning was introduced to create stronger separation between sensory exploration, messy play, performance, outdoor learning and quieter engagement areas.
Natural textures, tactile finishes and layered sensory experiences were used heavily throughout the scheme, helping transform what was previously a tired space into a much more immersive EYFS environment. The existing shelter area was better utilised through sensory surfacing and drainage improvements, helping make the area more practical and usable year-round.
Materials & surfacing
• Timber learning resources & bespoke sleeper features
• Natural planting & raised planter areas
• Bespoke sensory and discovery play features
• Outdoor learning storage & educational elements.
Surface types used
• Play Grade Artificial Grass to improve practicality, comfort and all-weather usability.
• Sand Tone Resin Bound Gravel creating a softer natural appearance and sensory texture.
• Multi-texture Sensory Pathway incorporating tactile paving, cobbles, crazy paving, block paving and Conipave finishes.
These materials were selected to maximise sensory value, durability and year-round practicality whilst maintaining a natural aesthetic suitable for Early Years provision.
Installation
One of the notable challenges within this project was the existing drainage issue beneath the canopy area, which required targeted intervention to improve long-term usability.
Works included removal of outdated equipment and redundant surfacing, installation of a small soakaway, level adjustments and drainage improvements beneath the canopy, alongside the introduction of new surfacing, sensory pathways and bespoke play features throughout the site.
The outcome
Roose Primary School now benefits from a vibrant, engaging and far more purposeful EYFS Playground Design and Install that supports outdoor learning, sensory exploration, messy play and imaginative development.
Despite a tight budget, the scheme delivers substantial play value, clearer zoning and significantly improved usability — creating a much more inspiring environment for both children and staff.
Looking to create something similar?
If you're planning an EYFS Playground Design and Install project and want to maximise impact, play value and outdoor learning opportunities within your budget, we'd love to help.
Comments