What is OPAL?

OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) is all about giving children more time, freedom and opportunities to play outdoors in rich, exciting ways. Through OPAL, playtimes become more active, creative and inclusive, helping children build confidence, resilience, friendships and problem‑solving skills — all while having lots of fun outside!

We’re excited to be embarking on a journey with OPAL to enrich playtimes even further. Over time, this will mean more imaginative, active and child‑led play experiences, making our outdoor spaces places where every child can thrive, explore and enjoy their time with friends.

How can parents get involved?

Parents can play a big part in making OPAL a success. You might be able to help by donating resources, sharing ideas or skills, supporting development days, or simply chatting with us about what your child enjoys at playtime.

Loose parts we would love to receive:

• Tyres (bike or car – clean and safe)
• Crates or milk crates
• Planks of wood, wooden blocks or pallets
• Logs, branches or tree slices
• Fabric, scarves, old curtains or netting
• Buckets, tubs, pots and pans
• Ropes, hoses or short lengths of guttering
• Old suitcases, baskets or sturdy boxes
• Large cardboard boxes, tubes or sheets

Everyday items that can be lifted, moved, stacked, rolled or re‑imagined make fantastic play resources. Please ensure all donated items are clean and free from sharp edges.

Thank you for your continued support as we develop our OPAL playtimes — we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us!