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What Is Critical Fall Height?

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

The Critical Fall Height (CFH) is the maximum height that you can fall to the ground. This would generally refer to climb and play equipment, it is simple measured and the highest point which someone could fall from is the CFH.

So when designing different safety floorings and manufacturing the rubber they are rigorously tested to meet BS EN 1177 safety standards. Which would consist of dropping a weighted object from set heights and seeing how much of the impact is absorbed by the surface.

Generally the easiest way to increase the impact absorption of the safety surface is to increase the depth of the layer. But the higher the drop is the less likely it become that the surface is going to be able to take enough force to provide a safe fall.

Here at Soft Surfaces, we are always asked what the meaning of a Critical Fall Height (CFH) is and people are often curious whether this is industry standard. Our premium rubber surfaces are individually tested with child safety in mind.

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Critical Fall Height Explained

Please take a minute to watch this short video which goes into more detail on what a CFH is and how it is determined.

Please see transcription below:

00:00 Hi Guys. It’s Dan from Soft Surfaces here and today we’re going to be looking at the question, what is critical fall height? Critical Fall Height, otherwise known as CFH is essentially the distance of the top of the playground equipment, that could be the slide, the monkey bars, etc. to the actual surfaces installed on the playground.

00:14 That could be something like wet pour or rubber mulch or whatever you’re looking to have installed. So I use the example of wet pour here.

00:19 Say we’re installing a wet pour surface onto a playground. We have to look at the top point of your playground surface and determine how much depth we need to install the wet pour to, to ensure that if a child were to fall from that, they’re much less likely to have a serious injury.

00:30 When having any play facility installed, it’s crucial to ensure that safety is a priority.

00:38 Here at Soft Surfaces, we have over 20 years experience installing these surfaces, and we make sure they meet every single safety guideline possible to make sure your playground is as safe at it can be.

00:43 For more information, please just visit us at http://softsurfaces.co.uk.

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For more information on the critical fall heights of our safety surfaces, please get in contact directly and a member of our team will be on hand to help with any questions.

Playground Games to Encourage Speech Development

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

During nursery and primary school, speech is an important skill that children begin developing. There are lots of playground games that can encourage the development of speech and language.

The ability to speak and communicate with others is necessary when socialising with peers. Kids also need to be able to express their needs to adults, whether it’s in school or at home with parents.

The playground can be a great place for children to learn all kinds of skills. Language can be developed through a range of games that encourage communication. Check out some of our ideas for outdoor activities which support speech.

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1. Storytelling Activities Outside

Telling stories is a great way of getting kids to use their imaginations. They can either read out loud from a book or make up their own stories and tell them to each other. These activities help improve confidence when speaking in front of other people.

School storytelling areas offer a fun environment where children can make up fairytales and read aloud together. This combines speech development with fun and makes for a relaxing activity for break time.

2. Starting Conversations

For a shy child, just getting involved in playground games can be difficult. Sometimes they can end up left alone and not being invited to play with the other children.

The ability to start up conversations is the first step to developing relationships with peers. If a child can initiate conversations, they can join in with activities and improve their language skills.

Here are a few conversation starters you could teach children to help them approach others:

Hello, what’s your name?
Do you want to play with me?
I like your…
What game are you playing?
This game looks fun

Having a few ideas and questions in mind makes it much easier to connect with their classmates. Visit Speech and Language Kids for more ideas similar to these.

3. Role-Playing Activities

There are many games involving role play that children can take part in on the playground. These can include making up scenarios which the kids have to act out. Doing this helps them practise speaking and asking for things in real-life locations. Different equipment and play features can be used to make the game more interactive.

One example of this would be setting up a pretend shop in the play area. A few children can be working on the shop counter, while others play as customers. They can write their own shopping list and communicate what they need to those working as shopkeepers.

Another piece of play equipment that kids could use is a mud kitchen. Some of the children could play as chefs while others are customers ordering which meal they would like.

These things allow children to develop their speaking skills and communicate needs with their peers. It also creates a fun way to make friends and interact with each other on the playground.

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4. Learning How to Take Turns

For young children, the concept of sharing and taking turns is not always easy to grasp. However, it’s important to learn how to share toys with each other and make sure everyone gets and equal turn.

Having fluent speech makes sharing a lot easier during playtime. If a child wants to play with something, encourage them to ask, ‘Please can I have a turn?’ or, ‘Can I use that after you?’. Alternatively, if they are playing with something and another child would like to use it, suggest they offer it by saying, ‘Would you like a turn with this?’.

These are all ways to encourage kindness on the playground and teach children to be polite to one another. It also helps with developing language skills and the ability to communicate with others.

5. Speech Related Games

Some children struggle with stutters or other speech impediments. Playing games with simple sentences can help boost confidence. Asking a child to describe an object or give instructions is a great way for them to get used to short phrases.

A few games kids could play which involve this include:

Simon Says – A classic game where children can take turns giving instructions until the last person is out.
Guess Who – This is great for helping kids describe characteristics and ask questions to work out who their partner has chosen.
Pictionary – Can be played in pairs or teams, one child draws something and the others have to guess what it is.
I Spy – One child looks around the playground, chooses an object and says the first letter, the others then guess what they have chosen.

These all incorporate speech and language as well as being fun activities that everyone can get involved with. Most of these require little equipment as they are simply imaginative games that anyone can play.

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Summary

Speech fluency and language skills are key parts of learning for children in nursery and primary school. There are plenty of playground games that encourage speech development in the early years.

Why not give some of these a go on your school play area to help promote communication skills. These can have many benefits for children who stutter or can’t quite manage to get their words out. Check out the rest of our site for more ideas on playground designs and games to help with various aspects of child development.

Playground Designs for Sensory Processing Disorder

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

Playgrounds specifically designed for children on the autism spectrum are growing in popularity. Sensory processing disorder is one condition which play areas can be tailored for. As we continue to understand and appreciate the way our children think, play and grow, we’re able to help them with colourful, fun and safe playground equipment to encourage development.

Playground equipment shouldn’t just be fun! It should also benefit from design and manufacture that offers children safe spaces to explore and enquire.

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Many schools and centres are adopting special play equipment and playground design for specific needs. One of the most common needs in young children is for sensory toys and equipment.

Playground designs based around the senses, and which will appeal to those children with sensory processing disorder, are likely to help thousands of young people explore and play in safe and exciting new ways.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

Sensory processing disorder, sometimes known as SPD, is a neurological condition. It has been under research and evaluation for over 60 years. As such, schools and play centres are making sure to support children exhibiting behavioural patterns in line with the condition. Click here to learn more about the disorder.

Children with SPD may struggle to adapt to sensory elements in their everyday lives. For example, they may find even the slightest noises or lighting to be extremely stressful or concerning. Children who have SPD might find it difficult to get used to the world around them at first. They may sometimes react strongly, and emotionally, to everyday objects, items and sensations.

By understanding how children with SPD perceive the world around them, we will be in a better position to help them play, grow and develop. SPD can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. However, awareness of the condition, along with other conditions on the autism spectrum, is increasing in the public eye.

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How Outdoor Play Can Help

Outdoor play can help children with SPD to explore the world around them in safe, fun ways, at a pace that is comfortable to their levels of perception. As of now, there are no specific medical treatments available to help children overcome sensory difficulties. Therefore, it is crucial that we provide them with fun ways to approach the outside world.

Outdoor play is proven to be beneficial to help engage children’s attention at school. Sensory playgrounds and equipment, specifically designed to support children with SPD, will safely and gently appeal to all the senses. These activities, games and equipment are all designed by specialists with experience in supporting those children with SPD.

Therefore, unlike traditional playground equipment, SPD playground and outdoor play ideas will help children to engage with the world around them. It may sometimes be difficult to encourage children with sensory processing disorder to engage with outdoor activities and playground equipment. Therefore, specific sensory play areas and outdoor play features will appeal to those children otherwise struggling to adapt.

Many children with SPD struggle to maintain attention both with work and play. Outdoor play and SPD equipment will help young people to embrace the senses. This can also help them develop in a way that they can begin to cope with sudden, sensory moments.

As there is no cure for SPD, it is important that children afflicted by the condition receive gentle care and support. There is no better way to encourage this support and care than through outdoor play and activities.

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Play Equipment for Children with Sensory Processing Difficulties

Play equipment for children with sensory processing difficulties is designed with attention spans and strong sensory responses in mind. The main aim of SPD-friendly playground equipment and outdoor play is to help children to adapt to everyday sensations. You should offer this in a way which is neither shocking to them, nor in a way which motivates zero response.

Play equipment such as water tables and outdoor kitchen play areas may help children with SPD to get accustomed to everyday sensory events and moments. In many cases, children may not have to make direct contact with play tables and equipment. Therefore, if they wish to observe from afar, they can do so.

Playground equipment which offers gentle sensory approach is designed with guidance in mind. Children with SPD should always receive encouragement to explore and play. However SPD-friendly standards are ideal for those who need a helping hand.

You can also find play area designs for non-verbal pupils to help create an outdoor space which suits their needs as well.

Sensory Play Ideas

Ideal sensory play ideas are those which allow children to explore touch, sight and hearing at their own paces. For example, a gentle arbour or archway system could help to encourage children to touch and feel specific textures, gently developed with high sensitivity in mind. Not only this, but children may also benefit from gentle musical elements built into such units.

SPD playground ideas should also offer a wide variety of opportunities to explore. The ideal sensory playground could include sand and water play areas where children can pour and experiment with clean water in controlled environments.

They may also benefit from gentle vestibular equipment, encouraging children to explore the way that balance works, and how they can explore forces and movements at their own paces.

Visual play is crucially important for children with SPD. Visual sensory play ideas, therefore, could include those which explore depth perception. They may also benefit from mirror play, which could help develop comfort with making eye contact. This may be a common affliction in those children on the autism spectrum.

Finding the Right Sensory Play Equipment

The best sensory playground is one which offers children a balance between all the senses. It should also encourage children to explore the world around them in a way that they feel comfortable.

We also recommend that sensory playgrounds and those toys built for sensory processing disorder receive supervision. Though our playground equipment is safe for very young children to use on their own.

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If you would like to know more about sensory play and playground equipment likely to appeal to children with sensory processing disorder, please make sure to contact our team.

Resin Bound or Block Paving

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

When looking at the different surfacing options to install for your driveway, you will more than likely come across resin bound gravel and block-paving. Both of these options are a decorative surfacing type, however each have their own qualities. The great thing about both of these flooring types is that you will not need planning permission, since both of these are permeable surfaces meaning that rainwater can drain naturally.

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These paving types are also available in a number of different colours allowing you to create a bespoke design. So, which is better for your drive? We can help you choose the best paving for your home or office driveway and can offer great value for money for the installation of the decorative flooring.

You will need to make certain that the surface you choose is right for you. Our team can help you decide whether resin bound or block paving would be best for you. If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Resin Bound Driveways

Resin-bound driveways are becoming more and more popular across the United Kingdom, as homeowners can get the resin-bound gravel installed in the colours and designs they want. It’s not just driveways which resin-bound can be used for – this surfacing type is also great for pool surrounds, patios, tree pits and various other areas. See a case study for this product at Jaguar Land Rover in Preston here.

You usually don’t need much resin bound gravel maintenance. This means that you can install the surface without worrying about the costs of maintenance services and repairs. You won’t need to carry out much maintenance yourself either. This is because the surface is SuDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems) compliant which means water can drain straight through.

Another great thing about resin-bound surfacing is that there are a number of different types, which means that costs can be lowered depending on your existing flooring. In the event you already have a tarmac or concrete drive, resin-bound gravel can usually be installed straight over this without the need for preparation work – this can cut costs down significantly when compared to other flooring options like block-paving.

Similarly, we can install resin bound specifications straight over stone surfaces to lower costs, rather than carrying out groundworks. In some cases block paving may be cheaper, however, you will not get the same appearance of properties that you will with resin-bound.

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If you would like to find out more about the resin-bound driveway surfacing installation process, please make sure to have a look at the video below of a job we carried out in Childwall:

Block Paving Bricks

Despite being available in a number of colours and being a porous surface type, block paving bricks have some flaws. Since the block paving isn’t one smooth surface, it has gaps in where weeds can grow. Although these weeds and contaminants can be removed with a simple jet wash, over time the sand between the blocks, which hold the bricks in place, will wear away.

This can then result in the surface becoming subject to more weed growth or becoming uneven. This is where the resin bound specification is a much-preferred option. There are no joints or gaps within resin-bound surfacing. This means weeds cannot grow through and jet washing the floor will not cause any damage.

Block paving also tends to need more maintenance than resin-bound surfacing. This is because not only will the floor require cleaning and treatment more often due to weeds growing through, but the gaps between the block-paving may need resealing over time.

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This is one of the reasons why many people are turning towards resin-bound now instead. Although you may be able to get block-paving cheaper in some cases, resin-bound may be a more cost-effective option in the long run.

Resin Vs Block-Paving

Overall there are a variety of positives for both surface types; both are permeable and decorative surfaces with their own unique qualities. Although resin bound can be expensive in some cases (depending on your existing surface and the area size) it generally requires less maintenance than block-paving, as weeds cannot grow through the surface.

Both these surface types are a lot more appealing than other surfaces like tarmac. If you would like to find out more regarding these surfacing types, please do not hesitate to contact our team. You can find out about our enquiry process here. We can also offer you more information on the benefits of these surfaces if you require it. We’ll also provide you with a free quotation for resin-bound surfacing if required.

Driveway Design Options

It’s good to consider different options when thinking about what surface to install for driveways. Block paving and resin bound are two very popular surface types that we can install for drives. Both are permeable surfacing types with different advantages.

It really depends on your personal preferences and how much maintenance you are willing to complete. Our team can offer you advice when it comes to driveway design options and provide you with a quote for the surfacing we can install. Check out our case study from a driveway in Chorley which we recently installed.

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You may choose from various colours for these surface types also. This means you can make a more unique driveway and alter the design to suit your needs. We are more than happy to modify designs and specifications to suit your requirements. Please do not hesitate to get in touch by filling in the contact form provided on this page. We will get back to you as soon as possible with additional details on the surfacing and options for your drive.

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If you would like more information on resin bound or block paving, please contact us now. Just use the enquiry form provided on this page to speak to one of our experts.

We will get back to you at the earliest opportunity with details on the various surfacing designs. We’ll also offer details on the cost of the installation.

Protective Playground Flooring

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

There are many types of protective playground flooring for a children’s play area. These are designed to absorb impact if a child falls while running or playing on equipment. A number of designs and specifications are available depending on the client’s requirements. Some of these surfaces include:

Wetpour
Bouncy tarmac
Protective park floors
Artificial grass
Rubber mats
Bonded resin rubber mulch

It’s important to provide soft ground for play area facilities to make sure children are safe when climbing and running around. You will often find these products on school play areas and nurseries, particularly with playground equipment.

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These are also suitable for public parks for kids to enjoy playing as safely as possible. We supply these products in a number of different designs and can make them bespoke to suit your needs.

Synthetic Turf Surfacing

Soft lawn or artificial grass has become increasingly used in schools as a safety surface for children’s leisure in the playground. This surfacing can be used all year round and also encourages children in more sport and play. It also means you can use to the facility more compared to natural grass.

Another advantage is the low cost maintenance associated with artificial leisure grass. This gives subsequent benefits for the kids to play all year round in the school playground. There is no need to worry about it becoming flooded in wet weather as it is porous. Our team can install this specification to a range of outdoor spaces. We can also provide a shockpad to go underneath the carpet to add extra impact absorption.

Bonded Rubber Play Mulch

Similar to rubber soft play surface this also provides for the children’s safety in playgrounds. The rubber mulch surfacing can easily be laid around play equipment to give the critical fall height (CFH) to provide a safety surfacing so the kids are safe outdoors. The rubber mulch provides for a more natural look and still provides a safety surface for the children.

Many people like this specification as it has a similar appearance to wooden bark or chippings. It also offers a more flexible design as we can apply it directly onto existing grass or muddy areas. A number of colour options are available including red, green and a mix of both.

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Rubber Grass Mats

Another safety surface is the technix protective rubber grass mats, preformed protection grass grow matting or coloured grass mat protective playground flooring. We can apply these onto grass areas, and the grass then grows through the holes in the mats to disguise them. The rubber adds safety as it helps to absorb impact from falls when children are playing.

These products are often installed around wooden equipment such as trim trails. They are designed to protect the kids from hurting themselves while still maintaining the natural appearance.

Wetpour EPDM Flooring

However the main source of protective surfacing used on playgrounds, parks and leisure areas for the kids and children is wetpour surfacing which is a rubber surface in black or in colour.

The coloured rubber bouncy tarmac surface as a lot seem to call it is very popular under play equipment because it is a safety surface to protect the children, toddlers, kids and young ones. The soft pour bouncy surface is also used in residential care homes where elderly people might fall.

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The soft surface material absorbs the fall of the impact as it is a cushioned surface. The cushioning is where people call the safety surface to be spongy or bouncy surfacing. Many contractors can install the varied play areas however make sure they are all tested to BSEN standards anywhere in the UK.

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Fill in our contact form if you need any help on prices for these protective playground flooring products. We are here to help and assist you with whatever you might need and make the project fit your requirements.

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Our team can complete full installation of a variety of surface types to suit your needs. We also carry out other works including maintenance of existing surfaces. Don’t hesitate to contact us today and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.

Rubber Tarmac Flooring

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

You may have seen children’s outdoor play facilities which have bouncy flooring to protect against injuries. Usually this will be underneath equipment like swings or climbing frames. Many people refer to this as rubber tarmac flooring as it has a similar appearance to hard macadam. Some people may call it rubber macadam safety surface, rubber bitmac surface or rubber asphalt safety surface.

However, the rubber safety surface is actually made from recycled EPDM. This is a rubber crumb material which is bound together and trowelled onto the required area. The system is actually called wetpour surfacing and we can install it in a variety of colours and designs.

How to Lay Rubber Tarmac

The process for installing this type of playground flooring will usually be similar for each project. It can however vary depending on design, colour and depth.

First we will need a suitable sub base to lay onto. If the existing area is already tarmac this will be perfect, if not, a layer of tarmac should be installed.
The surfacing needs to go up to an edge, so we can fit edgings around the perimeter. Alternatively we could chase cut the tarmac and grade the surface down at the edges.
Next we’ll apply the base layer of the wetpour system. This comprises of SBR rubber crumb and binder which we pour onto the base.
If you have chosen wet pour graphic shapes, we will place these onto the base after it cures.
Then we’ll lay the EPDM wearing course in your chosen colour.

Wet Pour rubber or poured in place, is the perfect product around children’s play areas with play equipment due to its impact absorbing qualities. Applied to different depths depending on the critical fall height of the play equipment, rubber tarmac surfacing can protect up to a 3.00m+ fall height. We can install the surfacing on top of Tarmac, Concrete or MOT Type 1 stone.

Wet Pour comes in Black as a standard colour and also 12 different colours, along with 50 – 50% mixes of these colours. Our core business is Wet pour safety surfacing, and we can help you with the design, specification, costings and quotations for these areas.

Rubber Tarmac Cost

Depending on the design you choose, the rubber tarmac cost can vary. A number of factors affect the overall price, but our team will try to stick within your budget. A few things which determine the costs of installation would be:

Area Size
Site Location
Access to Site
Colour Choice
Additional Graphics

We complete many projects each year and often work on nursery playground installation along with public spaces too. Our team offer a high standard of work and top quality products. We’d be happy to provide details of our previous work and all the products we offer.

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If you’d like to enquire about installing rubber tarmac flooring, please try to include as much detail as possible. It’s helpful if we know the area size and have a few photos of the existing surface before pricing. This will help us give the most accurate and affordable quote. Just get in touch with us through our enquiry form to find out more about what’s available.

3g, 4g, 5g, 6g Artificial Synthetic Grass Pitches Explanation

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

What will be the latest innovation of the artificial sports pitches? That is the million dollar question and many are looking to design the latest synthetic turf all weather pitches specification. Many are changing the pile heights, pile density, infill rates and some looking at the construction or shockpad element of the works. Some companies are even looking towards a 4G pitch specification which may contain advanced technology.

3G Turf Pitch Specification

Third Generation artificial grass is a sand / rubber infilled sports synthetic surface ideal for football and rugby. 3G football pitches are rented every night to thousands of players for training, 5 a side leagues, 7 aside leagues and even played on for their main games at amateur level with full size pitch facilities. 3G artificial turf surfacing is an excellent substitute to natural grass and meets the approval of rugby and football governing bodies in the UK including FIFA, FA, IRB, RFU and RFL

If you are wanting to use the facility for both training and matches in these sports, this is definitely a recommended surface type as it provides all of the right playing qualities. The overall design can be customised to suit your budget and outdoor space, so feel free to let us know if you are interested in 3G pitch construction by getting in touch with us today.

4G Pitch Surfacing Designs

With regards to 4G fourth generation surfacing, 5G fifth generation surfaces and 6G sixth generation flooring then the designs are varied at present. Some are pushing a non infill carpet for the 4G sports pitches and yet the 5G artificial grass is said to be fully rubber crumb infill. However these are all speculations at present and no accredited governing body has approved these designs from IRB, FIH, FA, RFU or FIFA.

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Many people are looking at 3G vs 4G pitch designs but the truth is at the moment they are very similar and the official classification is the 3G surfacing.

What is a 5G Football Pitch?

A 5G Football Pitch is an artificial turf surface used for football. The 5G football surface is rubber filled all weather pitch specification.

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If you would like information on the costs, prices, quotes and specifications of the construction of a full size artificial field or even a small sided football MUGA then please fill in the contact form.

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Let us know what you need and we can send you all the information on sports fencing, basework specifications, shockpads, drainage and much more. We can also supply product sheets on similar designs to the 4G pitch specification to help you decide on the best option.

Learning Through Play – Psychology and Theories

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

When it comes to child development, the learning through play theory is very important. There are several psychological studies which have confirmed the relationship between play and learning for children.

Playing outdoors gives kids the chance to explore and take in the world around them. This has lots of physical and cognitive benefits during early years and later on.

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Learning Through Play Theorists

There are a few well-known theorists in this field including Piaget and Vygotsky. They have researched the links between learning and play and the significance for children’s development.

Piaget’s main theory was that play should encourage further psychological development as children mature. Playing outside can incorporate all areas of learning and help kids to become more aware of their environment.

There are a number of skill areas that can be built upon through outdoor activities, some of these include:

Cognitive development
Social skills
Emotional maturity
Self-confidence
Problem-solving
Kindness and sharing
Organisation

So many games and activities can focus on these different aspects to give pupils a well-rounded experience.

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Types of Play to Encourage Learning

There are a few different types of play that help young children learn a variety of skills. Below are two of the most popular styles, both of these have their own benefits. It’s important for schools and nurseries to offer a range of activities that promote different areas of development.

During play children can develop a number of skills including socialising with others and problem-solving.

Child-Led Activities

With child-led play, the children are completely independent in deciding what they want to do. This leads to a whole range of possibilities where kids can use their imaginations to explore their environment during early childhood. This often includes pretending play and role-playing activities.

With this, children use playground equipment and toys however they like and create their own games. It’s a crucial part of early development which gives kids the freedom to learn and have fun however they want. Check out our post on Anti Bullying Week 2019 for more ideas on creating a positive playground for children.

Playing outside particularly helps speed up brain maturity, so it’s great to offer plenty of options for kids. There are many playground design ideas you could look at, including climbing equipment, surface markings and more.

Guided Play

Another style of play often delivered in schools are guided activities. This involves teachers providing a particular game or topic to target certain objectives. These could be number games, word games or memory activities. Children can be left to engage in the activity, but with specific prompts from their teacher.

The guided playstyle focuses more on certain areas of education to ensure pupils are developing all the skills they need. It should still be fun and keep children engaged while taking part in the activities.

Children are naturally curious and want to explore the world around them. All different types of activities help to spark this curiosity and contribute to increased knowledge.

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The Three Main Play Theories

When it comes to different theories regarding the benefits of play, these can be split into three main points:

Classical Theory – This focuses on burning excess energy by doing physical activity.
Modern Theories – These look at how play can impact a child’s development through taking an active role in different games.
Contemporary Theories – This is focused on the relationship between play and daily life, incorporating social and cultural knowledge into playground games.

These different theories help us to understand the different benefits of play for children, particularly in the early years. Plenty of research has been done which highlights the importance of playing outside for cognitive, physical and emotional development.

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Experiences like this are a key part of the school curriculum. They help children to understand the world and gain valuable knowledge to take into the future.

Lap, Leap, Neap Play Area

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

Guidance has been produced regarding kids play with two main sources of information: Fields in Trust (FIT), formally NPFA, and Play England. Play England provides advice on the quality of the play space and the philosophy of children’s play, whilst FIT continues to provide quantitative advice on the type and number of provisions.

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New FIT guidelines were introduced in August 2008 to update ‘The Six Acre Standard’. These new guidelines are entitled Planning and Design for Outdoor Sport and Play’ (PAD). The following points are of particular relevance for residential developments:

Playground areas no longer have to provide a set number of pieces of play equipment, but rather play experiences, for example, a LEAP has to provide a minimum of six experiences and a
NEAP has to provide a minimum of nine play experiences. Therefore a scheme could theoretically be achieved without equipment.
For higher density developments, particularly ‘brownfield’ sites, the play area buffer zone may be reduced around LEAPs which could result in a reduction from 3600m2 to 1600m2 and a consequently larger developable area.
You no longer need to enclose a play area within a fence, only if the play area abuts a road, watercourse or another hazard.
Local Landscaped Area for Play is a new designation that sits between a LEAP and a NEAP. Fundamentally this is an unequipped space that is specifically laid out to encourage imaginative play for all ages.
The methodology of assessing existing play spaces has changed and is now based on a points system which will conclude if the local provision is of high quality and experience.

Local Playground Designs

Recently, research has been undertaken into how kids use play spaces and how we can improve their play areas by providing stimulating and challenging experiences. Historically, the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) provided this advice and was established to set benchmark standards to outline and protect the amount of designated open space, play and outdoor sports facilities close to where people live. More recently, Play England, part of the National Children’s Bureau, has become the forerunner in the philosophy of children’s play.

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The NPFA produced ‘The Six Acre Standard’ originally in the 1930s to ensure that everyone had access to play and sports facilities close to where they live. These standards were then adopted by Local Planning Authorities and incorporated into their planning policies and planning conditions for development sites.

The NPFA then re-branded themselves as the Fields in Trust (FIT) and produced the updated version of their guidelines, entitled: ‘Planning and Design for Outdoor Sport and Play’ (PAD). These new guidelines advise on the latest legislation and public policy and also provide advice on climate change, SUDS and sustainable communities.

PAD has similar principles to The Six Acre Standards, with a few main changes:

Play criteria of Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP) and Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play (NEAP)
Means of enclosing a playground area
Introduction of the newly created ‘Local Landscaped Area for Play’
Methodology of auditing existing play spaces

Specifications of LEAP and NEAP

LEAPs are to be designed and laid out specifically for children who are beginning to go out and play independently and has a minimum activity zone of 400m². The main change to the play criteria is that the area is to provide play experiences (rather than a set number of pieces of equipment).

Space is therefore to be designed to provide a stimulating and challenging play experience and PAD recommends that a minimum of six play experiences (from their list) are to be provided. The outdoor play area should also have a buffer zone of at least 20m in depth which contains varied planting, giving an overall area of 3600m². It is worthy of note that, for higher density developments, particularly Brownfield Sites, the play area buffer zone may be reduced under the new guidelines.

NEAPs are to be designed and laid out specifically for older children and have a minimum activity area of 1000m², with 465m² of the area laid out for a kick-about area. Like the LEAP, the main change to the play criteria is that the area is to provide play experiences (rather than a set number of pieces of equipment). Space is therefore to be designed to provide stimulating and challenging play experiences and PAD recommends that a minimum of nine play experiences (from their list) are to be provided, as well as bicycle parking. The play area should also have a buffer zone of at least 30m in depth, containing varied planting.

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The guidelines relating to the enclosure of the play area has also changed. PAD outlines that the site should be enclosed, but this is dependent upon location. If the play area is beside a road, then fencing and gates is the ideal solution. If the site is within a larger area of open space then fencing is not required and delineation of the play space can be achieved with planting or earth mounds.

Encouraging Children’s Play

A newly created designation of a Local Landscaped Area for Play is intended to be used as an alternative to a LEAP and is intended for use by children and young people alike. There are many benefits of activity for children which can be seen with these local playground facilities.

It is to be imaginatively landscaped to encourage play, although no play equipment has to be provided. The Local Landscaped Area for Play should have a minimum activity area of 900m² and is to provide a mix of areas for both physical activity and relative calm.

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When considering a new development and the amount of provision that is required, the new PAD guidelines are not as clearly defined as those within the old Six Acre Standard. However, Play England (in association with the London Plan) has produced guidelines for new developments. This recommends that an audit of existing provisions is to be undertaken and then using their formulae, will conclude the type of facilities and off-site contribution required.

PAD also advises that an audit of the existing provision is of benefit and the methodology of this audit has changed within the new guidelines. The assessment is now based on a points system, where points are awarded for certain features of the existing play spaces. This will not only identify the amount of existing provision but also the quality.

Types of Local Playground

The fields in Trust/National Playing Fields Association Standards have 3 categories of equipped play areas. These are local areas for play (LAP), local equipped area for play (LEAP) and neighbourhood equipped areas for play (NEAP). The main characteristics of each category are:

LAP – Local Area for Play

The LAP is a small area of open space specifically designated and primarily laid out for very young children to play close to where they live.

LEAP – Local Equipped Area for Play

The LEAP is an area of open space specifically designated and laid out with features including equipment for children who are beginning to go out and play independently close to where they live.

NEAP – Neighbourhood Equipped Area for play

The NEAP is an area of open space specifically designated, laid out and equipped mainly for older children but with play opportunities for younger children as well.

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Get in Touch

If you would like some more information about installing these play facilities please contact us. We can provide details on pricing for LEAP and NEAP surfaces along with a variety of equipment.

Just fill in our enquiry form with the details of your project and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Resin Bound Gravel Pathway in Stockport, Greater Manchester

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

At Soft Surfaces, we’re a specialist installer on resin bound gravel flooring in Stockport, and are able to fit this surface across the entire Greater Manchester area.

Post installation our team can offer resin bound repair services for existing resin bound surfaces within this location, so if you have currently got a resin bound gravel surface that needs either rejuvenating or resurfacing, be sure to get in touch with us.

For this particular blog post, we show off one of our resin bound installations that we carried out in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

Below you can see the specific information for this install, as well as the video transcript describing the job in detail.

As always if your interested in any of our resin bound gravel pathway services we offer throughout Stockport or the entire Greater Manchester area, feel free to get in touch with us today for a free no obligation quote today.

Resin Bound Gravel Pathway in Stockport, Greater Manchester Case Study

What was the specification? : 20mm resin bound gravel
What colours were used? : Brittany Bronze
What was the size of the job? : 187m²
How long did the job take?: 2 days on site

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Resin Bound Gravel Pathway

Check out the video below to see our team installing a resin bound gravel pathway in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

Video Transcript
Hi guys it’s Dan here, and today I’m going to be showing you a Resin Bound Gravel Pathway that we installed in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

So originally this client had a damaged surface that was becoming dangerous to walk on and needed replacing. They contacted us enquiring about the surfaces we offer, and when we explained our resin bound flooring they booked us right in to get to work.

So resin bound surfacing is a surface type that’s really well suited to the outdoors in the UK, as it’s porous qualities make it extremely flood resistant, unlike many of rivals.

Despite giving the desirable appearance of natural stone, resin bound actually is installed flat, which is another big benefit of this surface type. This means that accessibility for wheelchairs, vehicles, large items and much more is brilliant on resin bound, which is why this is such a great flooring for pathways and driveways.

Finally, another bonus of this surfacing is the fact that clients can choose from what seems to be a never ending list of colours to have their resin bound fitted in. From more conservative and natural designs, to bright and colourful specifications, the choice is completely up to you.

Our company have been fitting resin bound flooring across the united kingdom for over two decades now, and have seen this surface only become more and more popular over the years. There is no job too big or too small for us to complete, so feel free get in touch if you’re interested.

You can see the job is now complete, and looks amazing in the natural tan finish they specified. The client was really pleased with the work we carried out, and with their new surface.

We’ve carried out of work in the Greater Manchester area over the years, and because of this we rank in Google for these keywords:

Resin Bonded Aggregate Contractors Stockport
Greater Manchester Resin Bound Flooring Experts
Stockport Permeable Stone Surfacing Company
Resin Bonded Specialists Greater Manchester
Best Resin Bound Installers in Stockport
And even more.

So thanks a lot for watching today’s video guys, if you’d like to contact us for a quote please just visit www.softsurfaces.co.uk or give us a call at 01625 445 760 and our team will get back to you right away.

Benefits of Resin Bound Gravel in Stockport, Greater Manchester

Having a resin bound surface installed in Stockport, Greater Manchester area has many benefits, these include the following:

Simple to clean

Resin bound surfaces are very easy to clean, all you need is a simple sweep and jet wash.

Anti-Slip Surface

When installing rubber bound gravel we recommend that you have the surface installed with crushed glass to offer additional anti slip properties.

Low Maintenance

Resin bound gravel as a surface is very low maintenance, research shows that taking regular care of your resin bound surface can increase life span of the surface making it much more cost effective.

Resin Bound Gravel Surfacing Applications in Stockport, Greater Manchester

A lot of our clients are often interested in what types of surfacing resin bound gravel can actually be used for, the truth is that it is an extremely versatile flooring type.

To give some examples, here and some applications that resin bound gravel can be used for in this area:

Resin Bound Gravel Driveways Stockport
Resin Bound Gravel Pathways Stockport
Resin Bound Gravel Balconies Stockport
Resin Bound Gravel Car Parks Stockport
Resin Bound Gravel Bridges Stockport

Why Choose Us?

At Soft Surfaces Ltd our team have over 25 years of experience installing resin bound flooring in Stockport, as well as across Greater Manchester in general.

Our team pride themselves on only using the highest quality materials for our works, and our hard working installers will work relentlessly to ensure your Stockport resin bound surface looks brilliant no matter the specification you desire.

The team can also take care of the maintenance of your surface once installed too, making the process of caring for your new resin bound surface a breeze. Feel free to get in touch with us if this is something that you would be interested, and a member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible.

Other Greater Manchester Areas we Install Resin Bound Gravel

At Soft Surfaces, we’re able to install Resin Bound surfacing throughout the Greater Manchester area, including the following areas:

Resin Bound Installation in Tameside
Resin Bound Installation in Oldham
Resin Bound Installation in Rochdale
Resin Bound Installation in Bury
Resin Bound Installation in Bolton

Contact Us Today

If you would like resin bound gravel installed in Stockport, Greater Manchester please make sure to speak to us using the contact form provided.

We can offer more information on designs, colours and prices along with advice on preparation works and more.

Thank you for taking a look at our case study, and for any more questions please get in touch today.

Thanks a lot for watching, and we hope to hear from you soon.