Makeovers for our Early Learning Services forts

Play equipment at the 13 Mission Australia Early Learning Services (MAELS) throughout New South Wales have been creatively spruced up as part of a statewide fort makeover competition.

The idea was to turn a plain piece of standard play equipment into something that would inspire creative play.

Mannering Park ELS, in the Lake Macquarie area, won the competition thanks to the five dedicated staff members who came in over the weekend to paint the existing fort. They also added a variety of materials that would engage a child’s senses, such as glittering crystals, coloured sun-catchers in the shape of butterflies, beaded bamboo curtains, fluttering materials, tinkling wind chimes and noisy pots and pans.

The children played their part by creating bark paintings that were attached to the fort, as well as adding craft made from natural materials. MAELS centres are in the process of replacing artificial features with more naturalistic materials, including recycled materials.

MAELS centres in Cooranbong, also in Lake Macquarie, and Kurri Kurri in the nearby Hunter, should also be congratulated for their outstanding efforts.

The other MAELS centres in New South Wales include Beresfield, Stockton, Tanilba Bay and Mount Hutton in the Hunter; Bateau Bay, Woodbury Park, Cooranbong and Tumbi Umbi on the Central Coast; Horningsea Park in Sydney, and Corrimal and Shell Cove in the Illawarra region.