Transforming early childhood play: A legacy of research, play and impact

Adopted from the story of a landmark philanthropic gift to UOW, this article illustrates how investment in early years‑learning and research‑informed play spaces can deliver far‑reaching benefits for children, families, educators and communities.

In 2025, UOW highlighted how a $7 million donation from Christopher Abbott AM and Barbara Abbott established the foundation for the Early Start Discovery Space Australia’s first purpose‑built children’s discovery space on a university campus. 

A Vision Rooted in Children’s Potential

Abbott’s interest in early childhood development had been sparked by neuroscience research discovering that a four‑year‑old child forms around a million synaptic connections per second. This insight framed their philanthropic decision: invest early and intentionally in children’s environments, rather than wait for remediation later.

Selecting UOW as the partner institution emerged from aligned ambitions. The university was seeking to strengthen outreach and research in early childhood education; the Abbotts shared a vision of supporting access, equity and empowerment for children, especially in regional and under‑resourced communities. 

Building the Discovery Space: Research, Play, Community

In 2012, UOW secured a substantial federal grant ($31 million) to build the Early Start facility. The Abbotts’ donation funded its central element the Discovery Space, designed to blend child‑centred play, research engagement and community partnerships. 

Since opening in 2015, the facility has welcomed over one million visitors (as of its 10‑year milestone). It serves both local children and families and broader professional/academic communities acting as a test‑bed for innovative pedagogy and inclusive, play‑based learning experiences.

Implications for Early Childhood Education Services

For early childhood educators, services and leaders, this story carries multiple take‑aways:

• Vision matters: The philanthropic investment underscores the value of aligning infrastructure, research and community access in early years settings.
• Play as research catalyst: The Discovery Space emphasises that high‑quality play environments can link children’s engagement with ongoing research, strengthening evidence‑informed practice.
• Access and equity: Locating the facility in a regional area (outside major metropolitan zones) highlights the importance of making high‑quality early learning opportunities accessible beyond inner‑city centres.
• Partnerships: The collaboration between donors, the university, research teams and communities illustrates how cross‑sector partnerships can energise early learning innovation.
• Legacy‑thinking: The Abbotts’ investment wasn’t a one‑off philanthropic act but a long‑term vision of children’s futures, emphasising sustainability, research linkage and intergenerational impact.

A Personalised Lens for ECEC Providers

Service owners, educators and approved providers could consider how this model can inform their own practice, for example:

• Can teaching and learning environments be designed not only for children’s immediate experience but also for broader community engagement, professional research and sector innovation?
• Are there opportunities to connect play‑based learning with local research institutions or community partners, to strengthen evidence and practice?
• Does service planning include considerations of access and equity — for children in regional, remote or disadvantaged communities?
• How might providers articulate a legacy‑vision for their setting (rather than just day‑to‑day operation), aligning with research, staff development and community partnership?

Moving Forward

In an early childhood sector increasingly driven by quality, evidence and community connections, stories such as the UOW Early Start Discovery Space offer a blueprint. Investing in spaces that privilege play, research‑informed pedagogy and community access builds not just programs, it builds legacies.

For services seeking to reinforce their quality narrative, strengthen community partnerships, or innovate in play‑based learning, this exemplar stands as a powerful touch‑point. As the field navigates challenges of access, workforce capacity and inclusion, the alignment of vision, partnership and practice becomes ever more relevant.

Reference

Glyde, India. (2025, November 6). The gift that transformed early childhood play. University of Wollongong – The Stand.