St Malachy's Nursery School open their newly refurbished play area

Playtime for Pupils at St Malachy's Nursery School in Newry has just got a lot more fun with the opening of their newly refurbished outdoor play facility at the Carnagat school.

Eve Bremner, CEO of CCMS, joined Lana McKinney, Principal of St. Malachy’s to officially open the new play area. Watching on were members of the Board of Governors, staff, Department of Education and Education Authority personnel, local MLA’s and community groups.

St. Malachy’s Nursery School secured much needed funds in the region of £116,000. The funding was used to revamp their outdoor space. This refurbishment included the replacement of two safety surfaces, a new state-of-the-art climbing frame, an 8 seater see-saw and spinning cup, designed and fitted by Kompan NI.

Also purchased was a large outdoor caravan and trailer, reading pyramid, blackboards and climbing tunnel. Mrs McKinney said "outdoor play is a crucial part of the pre-school curriculum. It is extremely important that children engage in well planned, energetic outdoor play activities, enabling each child in the nursery school to become active and explorative learners"

Mrs McKinney discussed the endless benefits of outdoor play such as improved health and fitness reducing the likelihood of heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Improved gross and fine motor development, coordination, balance and posture. It is evident that outdoor play improves focus and concentration, ultimately leading to a readiness to learn throughout the school day, resulting in improved academic attainment.

Mrs McKinney added "our goal in St. Malachy’s Nursery School is to provide a stimulating, challenging, nurturing  environment where children can have fun, take risks and reach their full potential. This huge investment, backed by the Department of Education, will foster and support the children’s mental health and well-being in the future."

 Mrs McKinney, staff and Governors of the Nursery School are thrilled with the transformation of the outdoor space. The school principal concluded "This area will serve endless numbers of pre-school children for many years to come where they will thrive and grow in St. Malachy’s."

St. Malachy’s Nursery school  secured much needed funds of £116,000 to revamp their outdoor space. The children, parents, staff and the wider school community, are extremely grateful to those who helped secure this successful bid.