Botanical Traditions - Strathmore Childcare Centre

With increasing urbanisation and high density living, children have less exposure to venture outdoors and explore the natural environment. Many of the tactile qualities experienced in nature are regularly overlooked. For instance, how do you replicate the feeling of crunching leaves under foot, or the sounds of leaves whispering in the wind in a constructed space?

In the previous playsapce much of the area could not be used due to a large drop in levels.  The new design incorporated these previously out of bounds areas with careful grading and the creation of a ramped path.  The design incorporates nature as a mainstay of the playspaces, with areas featuring a variety of activities to support the growth and development children.

Extending from the baby playrooms is an open area of synthetic turf , crawling tunnel and large deciduous shade tree and a sensory garden. From the older childrens playrooms and large verandah area, a flexible and multiuse space opens adjacent to an open cubby and double sandpit.

No formal separation between the two age areas encourages interaction between all children – although we have used bamboo to create an informal barrier between areas. A large deck incorporating an existing tree is located at the highest point of the main playspace, providing views over the entire playspace and enabling children to 'be seen and see others' whilst playing independently. The area can also be used as an outdoor class reading area.

A large kitchen garden is also provided as an excursion space, including a shady pergola area with a passionfruit vine, raised vegetable gardens, and fruit tree orchard around the boundary.

The MCH area has its own small Playspace.