In an inspiring display of community engagement and creativity, students from Bridgwater & Taunton College’s (BTC) Education and Early Years programme have completed their most ambitious project to date – the total transformation of the outdoor play space at a local nursery, Spring Nursery, located at Wellsprings Leisure Centre. This remarkable initiative was undertaken despite challenging freezing temperatures.
Prior to the transformation day, T Level and Foundation to T Level students engaged in meticulous preparation, which included researching and designing an age-appropriate outdoor play area for children aged 0-5 years.
The process involved analysing ‘before’ photos and precise measurements of the site. The project was a collaborative effort, involving support from the College’s carpentry and plumbing departments. These teams played a crucial role in bringing the students’ innovative ideas to life.
Additionally, various departments across the college generously donated materials for repurposing, underlining the project’s commitment to sustainability in an educational practice.
The hands-on experience provided students with an invaluable opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and see their concepts materialise. Throughout the project, they honed essential skills crucial for their future careers in the sector, including communication, teamwork, negotiation, flexibility, problem-solving, and creativity.
The project culminated in a heart-warming moment when children and staff from the nursery explored the newly created play spaces alongside the students. The joy and excitement evident on the children’s faces were a testament to the project’s success and its significant impact on the young learners’ development and day-to-day experiences.
Barbara Morris, Spring Wellsprings Nursery Manager, said,
As a setting, we would like to thank the students for all their hard work that has culminated in an amazing outdoor experience for the children in our care. Without the planning and determination of the students this would not have been possible. It was a joy to see the children sharing the space with the students after their hard work!
Kay Davey, Course Leader, commented,
Taking part in our community project has become a central aspect of our programme. It really develops our students’ skills in team work, creative thinking, negotiation and planning – all crucial to a successful career in the sector. It is brilliant to see them step out of their comfort zones and they each see the benefits of such a learning approach.
This project in particular was a huge challenge, but it has been so rewarding to see the final product. We’re all so proud of our students and I think they really understand and appreciate the impact this will have o the children and staff at Spring Nursery Wellsprings.
The project was made possible through the collective efforts of several key contributors, including Kelly Griffiths and her plumbing students, Otis Alexander & Andrew Partington and their carpentry students, the College’s estates team for transportation assistance, Ali Stokes for donating valuable salvaged resources, Adrian Downs for tyre donations, and Darren Land for providing paint and brushes.
BTC extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a part in this significant community initiative.
For those interested in joining dynamic programs that equip future educators with essential skills and qualifications, the College encourages prospective students to apply now.
Details on open evenings and taster sessions are available for those looking to start their career as a teacher, Early Years Educator, teaching assistant, or related professions.
For more information, please visit www.btc.ac.uk or contact the College’s Information & Advice team on info@btc.ac.uk or by calling 01278 441216.
