Children delight in newly renovated nature playscape at YMCA Derrimut ELC

The children attending YMCA Derrimut’s Early Learning Centre (ELC) are enjoying their outdoor play a little more after a recent grant of nearly $500,000 which allowed the service to upgrade its playscape. 

YMCA Derrimut ELC used a $490,010 grant from the Victorian Government’s Building Blocks Improvement program, to transform the playground into an innovative outdoor play area which was designed by Jeavons Landscape Architects.

The revamped area caters to all age groups, ensuring their safety and encouraging enriching learning experiences, with each section conforming to children’s developmental stages and ages. 

The new design includes sandpits, water play areas, climbing structures, vegetable gardens, and artistic spaces, blending with the natural environment to promote creative play.  

 “This new playground will act as the third teacher, stimulating children’s curiosity,” Y Victoria CEO Carolyn Morris said.

Central to the space is a ‘Yarning Circle’ which encourages respectful dialogue, celebrates cultural diversity and allows children to learn about Aboriginal culture.

Environmental sustainability was also a pivotal focus of the design process, with shade trees, rainwater tanks, sustainable materials and a variety of plant life that aims to instill respect for, and a connection to, the environment in children from an early age. 

A dedicated project page has been created to keep a track of the works which may be accessed here.