Davies White and Community Playthings Partner to Advance Early Years Outdoor Learning

Helping schools and nurseries create inclusive, biodiverse and sustainable play spaces that support every child’s development.

A shared vision for outdoor learning

Play is where learning begins.  In early years settings, outdoor environments aren’t just playgrounds, they’re  living classrooms that nurture curiosity, confidence, and well-being. That’s why  Davies White Landscape Architects and  Community Playthings have formed a partnership to combine their shared passion for child-centred design. Together they bring decades of experience, best practice, and research to help schools and nurseries  transform outdoor spaces into places where every child can thrive, through play, discovery, and connection with nature.

Community Playthings are renowned for crafting beautiful, durable, and sustainable wooden furniture and play equipment, designed to support child development and learning through purposeful play. Together, we aim to make outdoor learning more inclusive, sustainable, and joyful, supporting early years educators to create environments that truly enrich every child’s growth and sense of belonging.

Understanding how children play

At the heart of every Davies White design is the belief that outdoor spaces should reflect how children naturally play and learn.  Drawing on research from play experts such as Bob Hughes, and the practical experience of both our teams, we focus on six core play types:

Exploratory play - spaces that spark curiosity, investigation and discovery.

Physical play - safe but challenging routes for climbing, balancing and movement.

Social play - inclusive zones that encourage cooperation and communication.

Loose-parts play - areas for tinkering, mixing, building and problem-solving.

Imaginative play - sensory planting and adaptable structures that inspire storytelling.

Quiet play - restorative pockets for calm, reflection and emotional regulation.

Designing for all six play types ensures every child  whatever their ability, confidence or interest  can find a space that feels right for them.

From ideas to impact. The 7 stage design process.

As part of our partnership with Community Playthings, we’re helping schools and nurseries understand not only why outdoor learning matters, but how to make it happen. Every project we design from small nursery gardens to whole-school landscapes follows a clear, supportive process that keeps things simple, transparent and achievable.

Stage 0 – Why are we doing this? 
We help you define your goals and vision. Is it shade, sensory planting, or inclusive play you need? We clarify and confirm priorities.

Stage 1 – Getting ready
We visit your site, meet your staff, and listen to what matters most to children and families. We create a clear brief everyone can support.

Stage 2 – First ideas
We turn the brief into sketches and concepts showing how play, learning and nature can connect. You’ll see options and early costs.

Stage 3 – Agreeing the layout
We refine the design and final layout, ensuring accessibility, safety and value for money, ready for approvals.

Stage 4 – The nuts and bolts
We prepare detailed drawings and specifications so the contractor knows exactly what to build, from planting, surfacing to play structures.
Stage 5 – Build it
Your outdoor space comes to life. We oversee progress to ensure quality and keep communication open with your team.
Stage 6 – Handover and first term
We complete safety checks, show staff how to use and care for the space, and open it for children to enjoy.
Stage 7 – Using it and improving it
After a term (and again after a year) we review how the space works, making small tweaks to keep it fresh, resilient and inspiring.
 

Want to know more?
We’ve created a practical step-by-step guide for schools and nurseries planning their next outdoor project. Request your copy of 'Stages of Planning, Designing & Building' an Outdoor Space and book a complimentary 30-minute online consultation to get started.

Looking ahead

We’re developing a new publication designed to support, inform, and inspire anyone seeking to transform their outdoor learning environments. 

By combining Davies White’s award-winning expertise in landscape design with Community Playthings’ deep understanding of early years environments, this collaboration provides schools and nurseries with a clear, practical roadmap for re-imagining their outdoor spaces.

Together, we believe every child deserves an environment that celebrates nature, nurtures well-being, and inspires lifelong learning through play.