The Nursery and Reception carried out a play consultation asking the children what they would like to have to improve their playtime.

The approach began with observations of the current outside space and how the children interact with it. What in their eyes was good or bad from a child’s play point of view.

The children and adults who use the nursery and reception were consulted with regard to their current play provision in order to maximise the play opportunities for the children. At present, the Walnut Garden has loose parts play opportunities. However, we would like a play structure to enhance the children's play opportunities and experiences. 

The children designed their space and made models from their drawings:

The children voted on their favourite equipment and the results were as follows:

Slide	19/31
Swing	13/31
Climbing equipment	11/31
Treehouse	11/31
Sand	8/31

We asked the children the following questions about the slide. What type of slide? What length would you like the slide? How many slides would you like? What shape and colour would you like your slide? 

"A wiggly slide. Short and green with a ladder."                                                                                                              "Big and long."                                                                                                                                                                                               "As tall as the sky."                                                                                                                                                                                     "A rock climbing wall."                                                                                                                                                                             "A climbing wall"                                                                                                                                                                                        "A ladder." 

We asked the children the following questions about the swing. What will the seat be like? What materials will be used to make the swing? What type of flooring will be underneath it?

"I think it is going to be a swing you can swing as high as you can but you might hit a tree."                         "Not sand underneath as it would flick up in my eyes. Grass would get me wet if it rained"                      "A swing for 2 that swings in different directions"                                                                                                                 "A swing on a treehouse."                                                                                                                                                                     "I want it to go fast."

We asked the children the following questions about the climbing equipment. Describe your ideal climbing equipment. What materials will be used to make it? Where will it be placed in the Walnut Garden?

"A ladder. A mountain."                                                                                                                                                                           "A lift and a bridge to go to the treehouse."                                                                                                                               "Monkey bars that lead up to the treehouse."                                                                                                                           "Climbing wall with a rope."                                                                                                                                                                "Metal."                                                                                                                                                                                                            "Wood."                                                                                                                                                                                                            "Plastic."                                                                                                                                                         

We asked the children the following questions about the treehouse. What is the treehouse like? How do you get to and from the treehouse? What materials are used to make it? What will be inside the treehouse? How will you enter the treehouse? How many people will be able to fit inside the treehouse?

"2 trees and a bridge in the middle between them."                                                                                                              "The slide from the treehouse."There should be furniture, toys and 2 beds. You use steps made out of plastic or wood to get up to it."                                                                                                                                                    "3 slides all different to come back down."                                                                                                                                 "The steps could be made out of rocks. There's a big pole with tyres on it to climb up. Any a pulley system to take things up in the tree."                    

We asked the children the following questions about the sand.

"Buckets and spades and things that scrape in the sand."                                                                                              "Scoops and shovels to play with."                                                                                                                                               "A sand wall and balancing scales and a pulley system."                                                                                               "The shape could be diamond shaped."                                                                                                                                     "A pirate ship in the sand."                                                                            

The Reception children were asked about their favourite types of play: