Transforming the RAF Shawbury Nursery: A Play Area for Early Years’ Development

RAF Shawbury has a longstanding commitment to providing high-quality play areas to support personnel families. But until recently, the nursery facility lacked a truly engaging environment for young children’s development. Proludic was thrilled to step in and create a dynamic space tailored for early years’ learning and play. This new play area now enhances children’s daily experiences with both fun and educational benefits.

A Collaborative Effort for Nursery Success

To make this project a success, Proludic worked closely with the RAF Shawbury team. Together, they crafted a play space that brings vibrant colours, stimulating equipment, and key developmental benefits to the nursery. The new outdoor area connects directly to the nursery, allowing children easy access between their classroom and play space. This connection makes outdoor exploration a seamless part of the children’s daily routine.

An image of the sensory play equipment neatly placed within the corner of the Nursery at RAF Shawbury.A variety of educational and sensory equipment to stimulate early development.

The archway and bridge at the RAF Shawbury Nursery.The play space now stands out with its vibrant colours and surfacing designs.

Designed for Early Years Development

The play area is thoughtfully zoned to support different areas of development:

Social and Intellectual Growth: A special storytelling area with a carved wooden chair and mushroom seating invites children to dive into imaginative play. Here, they can practice their communication skills while engaging in storytelling activities.

Physical and Sensory Play: The Baby Diabolo (J38709) unit supports up to 12 toddlers and offers 21 play functions. This structure helps children develop movement, balance, and sensory awareness.

Creative Exploration: Colourful arches, bridges, and animal structures inspire creativity and exploration. The play surface, with its bright colours, helps define these zones. A nearby “road” invites children to use ride-on toys, adding an extra layer of fun.

Musical and Sensory Engagement: Music-generating features, such as bongo drums, xylophones, and sensory flowers (J3418), enrich the sensory experience. These elements stimulate curiosity and engage the children’s developing senses.

Small mushroom chairs and a story telling throne at the RAF Shawbury Nursery.Wooden throne and colourful mushrooms offer a place to sit, relax and share stories with youngsters.

Safety and Quality as Top Priorities

Proludic chose durable, age-appropriate equipment to meet the nursery’s developmental needs. Safety was at the forefront of the design, ensuring that all children can enjoy the play space comfortably.

Positive Feedback from the Nursery Community

This project, funded by the RAF station grant process, has been warmly received. Staff, parents, and—most importantly—the children have shown enthusiastic support. The new play area reinforces RAF Shawbury’s dedication to family support and early childhood development.