Genazzano FCJ College Early Learning Centre

05/03/2013

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Starting school this year was exciting for students at the Genazzano FCJ College Early Learning Centre as the 2013 group was the first to experience this amazing new purpose-built facility that includes a completely new outdoor play environment, new play rooms and a refurbished library.

Jeavons Landscape Architects collaborated with Genazzano staff and H2o Architects to design this rich and complex outdoor area that supports the early learning program. This is a constrained site with complex site levels, and the Jeavons team aimed to maximise the natural qualities of the space for children’s engagement while allowing as much room as possible for running, climbing, sand play, sensory play and play with loose materials.

We worked closely with H2o Architects to ensure that the outdoor area complemented the building and connected seamlessly with the indoors. The construction of the building and outdoor area was managed by 2Construct.

 The quality of materials and workmanship has created an outstanding end result. Benjamin Gilbert designed and built the galvanized cubby which is a centre piece of the area.
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Sts Anargiri Early Learning Centre

12/01/2012

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Jeavons Landscape Architects had the pleasure of working with the staff at the Sts Anargiri Early Learning Centre  and architects Peter G Lyall & Associates during this project which is located in Oakleigh, Victoria.

A key feature of the site is the presence of two magnificent angophora trees. Careful consideration during the design and construction stages was required, to make sure the root zones of the trees were not damaged, and to make the most effective use of the remaining outdoor space.
The Early Learning Centre uses the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching and learning, and the design of the outdoor space aims to support staff in their teaching philosophy.

The outdoor playspace was constructed by Landscaping The Indigenous Way.
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Official Opening of Robina Scott Kindergarten, Williamstown

23/06/2011

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In 2010 Jeavons Landscape Architects was engaged by Robina Scott Kindergarten (Hobsons Bay Council) to design a new playspace.  The kinder has been operating on the site in Ferguson Street since the 1930s and there are now over 170 children enrolled.  Construction of the new garden began in November 2010 by Arcadia Landscapes, and was completed in time for the commencement of the kinder year in February 2011. 

The functional aim of the new design was to create maximum play opportunities within the relatively small area and to create spaces that engage the children’s senses and imaginations.

The playspace is now a series of multi-faceted spaces with a variety of textured paths that invite exploration and activity.  Paving materials such as coloured concrete, recycled red bricks, cobblestones and granitic gravel provide warm colours and textures underfoot that help give the illusion of a bigger space.

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Logs, rocks, timber decks, rope fences, pea gravel digging patches, sand pits, cubbies, swings, open mulch and areas of grass provide an array of surfaces and elements on which to climb and play.  Garden beds weave throughout the playspace adding fragrance, interesting textures and seasonal colour.  Several water tanks harvest rainwater and allow the children to fill watering cans and water the veggie plots that have been added.

The new playspace was officially opened on Tuesday 21 June by The Hon. Wendy Lovell, MLC, Minister for Children & Early Childhood                                                                      Development, who attended Robina Scott Kinder as a child herself.
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Natural Play Spaces In Knox

21/06/2011

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Mary Jeavons presented a talk to a large group of children’s services staff in the City of Knox on June 20. The subject of the evening was the importance of nature in outdoor play settings, especially in early childhood. 

Knox City Council has an important program called Kinder Gardens for Wildlife, which encourages centres to plant indigenous species to attract the local butterflies, birds, invertebrates and other creatures into their gardens. This enriches children’s experience of the environment and improves habitat and biodiversity.

Organised by Deb Moore, the early year sustainability co-ordinator for the City of Knox, the evening also promoted the EEEC - Environmental Education in Early Childhood a resource centre for early childhood centres and parents, now located in Northcote.
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Mary Jeavons to present at seminar. "Outdoor Play - Risky Business"

19/05/2011

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Early Childhood Seminar - "Outdoor Play - Risky Business"
2 June 2011
Mary Jeavons will jointly present  with early childhood specialist Prue Walsh and educator Sue Elliot at a seminar titled Outdoor Play - Risky Business organised by Play Australia in Caulfield. The purpose of the seminar is to explore, the benefits of risks and challenges in outdoor play, the importance of nature, and design ideas for outdoor play environments in early childhood settings.

This seminar is being held as part of the 2011 Early Childhood Education conference "Together We Grow" organised by KPV.
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Great ideas for Water Play in Early Childhood settings

18/05/2011

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This blog has some great ideas for early childhood settings. The following thread focuses on water play:
http://progressiveearlychildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/search/label/water%20play

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