Playground surprise for Blues Pre-school Nursery pupils after half-term break

Children at Blues Pre-school Nursery in Bishop’s Stortford are in the pink after a playground makeover.

The tots returned after the autumn half-term break to find their muddy outdoor area had been transformed.

Trustee Lynne Ling said: “The reaction was ‘wow’ from children and parents alike.

“Comments include ‘looks fantastic’, ‘looks bigger and brilliant’, ‘very impressive’, ‘the children will have lots of fun’, ‘a more accessible space to practise using motor skills through scooters and tricycles, which I think the children will be very excited about’.”

She said the playground area was cleared and levelled on the first day of half-term by Paul Tucker and colleagues from Broadmead Leisure, then Playsafe Playgrounds turned up to install the new surface.

The nursery in Cox’s Gardens, on the Havers estate, financed the project through fundraising and grants from the Stansted Airport Community Fund, Bishop’s Stortford Town Council’s Brazier Trust and locality budget grants from the town’s two Hertfordshire county councillors, Liberal Democrats Miriam Swainston and Calvin Horner.

Lynne said: “The playground surface is bonded rubber safety surfacing... which is manufactured from premium tyres free from fibres and wire.

“The rubber is textured like bark or fern. It’s made in the UK using 100% recycled materials. It doesn’t absorb water, therefore dries quickly, will not freeze and will not attract animals or insects.

“The nursery staff will gradually introduce new outdoor play items as funds allow, carefully chosen to enhance learning and imagination.”

Bishop’s Stortford Men’s Shed has offered to make wooden equipment if the nursery can cover the material costs.