Archives for April 2022

The importance of a vibrant and engaging playground has been stated in many studies over the years. Active, entertaining, educational, or maybe a balance between all types of playground markings? There’s a multitude of possible combinations that will make your pupils love break times and enjoy class more afterwards.

For a long time, paint has been the first choice for creating the perfect playground. However, ever since thermoplastics were introduced, the spotlight has swiftly shifted towards thermoplastic markings, to the point where they are now the preferred option.

Why is that? Let’s have a look at how traditional paint and thermoplastic compete against each other, starting with…

How do they perform in terms of durability?

Traffic, UV light, and weather conditions – those are the main sources of wear that markings have to endure, whether they are on the road or the school playground.

Thermoplastic is far superior, in terms of handling traffic, be it by vehicles or people. Children playing in the playground every day is no problem at all due to its robustness. That is hardly surprising, considering that these highly durable materials are used on about 95% of the roads in the UK. Thermoplastic is also impact resistant. Paint, on the other hand, cannot sustain high-intensity traffic, showing traces of wear sooner.

UV light is kind to neither thermoplastic, nor paint. Thermoplastic, however, handles it much better and in the long run it can endure far more due to its superior resistance, before it starts fading years down the line. The same cannot be said for paint, as fading can occur just several weeks after being applied.

Paint performs best in temperate climates. Temperatures becoming too high or too low for long will affect the rate at which paint fades too. Paint is also highly unideal for regions where snow and rain are falling in great quantities. Thermoplastic on the other hand can sometimes face issues only during freezing temperatures, in which case, if under traffic, it could sustain damage. Other than that, thermoplastic fares without a problem against the elements and can brush off most of what mother nature can throw its way, including heavy rains.

The superiority in terms of durability for thermoplastic also shows when it comes to the warranties offered by thermoplastic marking companies for their product. Most companies will offer 3-5 years, as thermoplastic markings can perform well even after a decade.

Paint on the other hand has a year-long life span at most, before it needs repainting, otherwise it loses its appeal. Also, depending on how harsh the conditions are, the need for repainting could arise as early as 4-5 months after it was applied.

When you have energetic, happy children running about, having tons of fun, you would definitely need something that can withstand the intensity of the foot traffic and thermoplastic is the best choice here. This directly ties into…

Which is more cost-efficient?

Paint is, without a doubt, the best solution for any short-term project. Its initial cost is very low compared to that of thermoplastic. That also makes it a great temporary option too before you go for a permanent solution to suit your needs. However, when the project is a school playground, yearly maintenance will be essential to keep its perfect and fresh appearance. Especially true when you have little energetic humans running about being active and socialising, who are easily amazed by vibrant colours.

This is why thermoplastic is a much more desirable solution. It requires next to no maintenance, and it lasts much longer than its paint alternative. Where paint requires yearly maintenance, building up costs over time, thermoplastic can last upwards of 5 years, easily making it to up to and over a decade.

So, with that said, a thermoplastic playground will save you much more in the long run, making it a more cost-efficient option.

Ease of installation

Before the installation, the area needs to be clear before both materials are applied. Weather should also be dry in both cases so the materials can properly bond to the surface.

Paint – When it comes to complexity, it is much tougher to achieve the desired look for playground markings. Proper application requires a very high skill and preparations can be done mostly on the spot. Even then, colour bleed could still occur, ruining the final look of the markings.

A major downside to playground markings made with paint, is that even when the weather is dry, it takes at least 2-3 hours for them to completely dry out. This would make that part of the road or playground unusable and likely closed off for that period. That would pose a challenge if playground markings are painted while children are at school, so the most ideal time for installation is limited to weekends and holidays.

Thermoplastic – Installing thermoplastics on the other hand is a straightforward process, where there is next to no chance of bleeding colours. All elements are already prepared in advance, so all it takes for them to be applied is to place them at the desired spot and use heat to bond them to the tarmac. Due to the very low possibility of errors, installations are very quick so the pupils at your school will be able to enjoy them in no time.

You could easily get your entire playground done and ready for use in a matter of hours – more if the projects are large. This is due to the fact that, once applied, it takes just 30 minutes for thermoplastic playground markings to cure.

Which is more aesthetically pleasing?

A playground needs to be aesthetically pleasing, for children to enjoy it to the fullest. Both paint and thermoplastics perform very well in that regard, but there are some differences that give thermoplastic playground markings an edge:

• When it comes to paint, achieving more complex designs is harder, compared to using thermoplastic.
• Expectations and end results may differ when it comes to playground markings made with paint.
• Thermoplastic colours are more vivid and vibrant.
• Paint fades quickly, which ruins aesthetics not long after being applied.
• Thermoplastic boasts much more options for customisation.

Thermoplastic playground markings simply exceed the options that they give you for the look and feel of your playground project, compared to those offered by paint!

Safety

Thermoplastic playground markings are absolutely safe for pupils. They are completely non-toxic, which is not always the case with paint. They are anti-slip, with the children’s energy in mind, allowing them to run freely without any worries.

Paint is a good budget solution, whenever used indoors or other areas where the conditions are favourable, but even then, it is not a great option if you want to get the best for your project. Thermoplastics are easy to install, engaging to look at and there for the long run. All of that at a price that will pay off many times over the years!

 

Read more of our blogs:

Government reveals plans to improve education by 2030

How to play even more classic playground games

How to make your playground more inclusive

As playgrounds are meant to be a place for children to unwind and socialise, the safety of a playground is an important factor to consider. Playgrounds are not immune to damage and as time passes their condition can deteriorate, making them not so child friendly and eventually may lead to closing them. No parent wants their child to play on an old and possibly unsafe playground. This poses a whole new set of troubles, as there are a number of health concerns for our children considering the digital era we live in. With not enough safe and entertaining playgrounds for families to visit, issues like obesity and mental illnesses worsen even more for children.

A safe playground is likely to attract more people, making the community area or school much more captivating, which in turn would attract more new families to live in the local area. So, what do you need to do in order to achieve an attractive, safe playground?

Here are some things to consider for a safer playground:

Always keep your playground well maintained

Even newer equipment eventually deteriorates, so having a maintenance team or service taking care of your playground will make it much safer for playing. With time, equipment can become rusty and easier to break, which can spell trouble for children and parents alike. Assessing and repairing the damage or even replacing, as soon as possible, will save you and the visiting families from any worry.

Use soft surfaces around your equipment

Children love being wild with their games, however this can sometimes raise concerns, as naturally accidents can happen when they get into games with their friends. It takes just a second for a child to trip or to fall from equipment. Softer surfaces in the play areas will surely make a fine addition for a safer playground, as they will protect children from harsh injuries.

Age-appropriate equipment and areas

Children of different ages have different capabilities and interests. Equipment for climbing activities has one of the highest injury rates, so it is better suited in areas for older children, while sandboxes are among the best for the youngest ones. This would also help to create different zones and boundaries between the activities. Small fencing between the play areas, and especially on the outer perimeter of the playground, is a safe option too.

Use playground markings to create zones

Supervision of children is much easier, when a playground has markings. They are interesting and colourful, making it easier for children to engage and less likely to run off the playground. They provide numerous entertaining and educational options, while also being diverse, allowing solo and multi-play alike, making them among the most cost-efficient and safe options for any playground. They too can be used to create zones for the children.

Going out with friends and playing is something all children love to do. So, it’s important to have lots of safe, quality playgrounds nowadays to support parents and teachers in keeping children off technology and motivate them to do things that could enrich their lives.

Playing outside, meeting new people and learning are just some of the many things that playgrounds provide. Lots of fun, giggles and amazing memories are made on playgrounds as those are all things that are important to children and make a fantastic childhood.

Our playground markings are child-friendly, extremely durable, anti-slip and non-toxic! If you want to take one more step towards a safer and more appealing playground, contact us to help you achieve it.

 

Read more of our blogs:

Government reveals plans to improve education by 2030

How to play even more classic playground games

How to make your playground more inclusive

Government reveals plans to improve the expected standard for reading, writing and maths in recent Schools White Paper

At the end of March 2022, the UK Government released their Schools White Paper with plans to improve education in mainstream state-funded schools, with a focus on reading, writing, and maths.

The two main ambitions that the School White Paper aims to deliver by 2030, is for:

• 90% of primary school children to achieve the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, and the percentage of children meeting the expected standards in the worst performing areas to increase by a third.
• The national GCSE average grade in both English language and maths to increase from 4.5 in 2019 to 5 in secondary schools.

How this will be achieved

The recent School White Paper outlines the steps that will be taken to achieve these goals, such as increasing starting salaries to attract and retain the best teachers and delivering specialist training to drive better literacy.

As well as this, by September 2023, the minimum school week will increase to 32.5 hours (the current average) and will allow for maximised opportunities for effective education.

Better behaviour and higher attendance will be encouraged as the white paper states that a child who receives 20 minutes less of teaching time per day will lose out on around 2 weeks of schooling a year!

To improve attendance and behaviour, it’s advised that schools offer a calm, orderly, safe, and supportive environment where children are keen to learn and where teachers feel focused to deliver the best possible lessons.

Schools in a priority Education Investment Area will also receive part of a £40 million funding pot for specific improvements to the school and quality of teaching. Following this, every school will be inspected by Ofsted by 2025.

How playground markings can help

We have a range of playground markings for primary schools, perfect for supporting reading, writing, and maths. From themed phonics designs to colourful maths playground markings, there’s plenty to ensure a rich educational opportunity in the playground.

The white paper states that children will receive phonics screening checks at the age of 6-7, and multiplication tables checks at the age of 8-9 to make sure they are on track. What better way to make learning these two subjects fun than to take part in engaging outdoor playground games? Children can leap like a frog between the different lily pad sounds with our Phonics Pond playground marking and learn their times tables with our vibrant multiplication grids.

To support the achievement of 90% of children reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths in KS2, it’s best to start during early years, with the recommended focus being on early speech and language skills.

Our 0-10 and 0-20 number characters are ideal for early years, enabling young children to familiarise themselves with their first numbers and associate the subject with friendly faces which in turn will encourage them to learn. Similar to the above, the same playground marking designs can be used to learn the alphabet.

 

Whilst these playground markings are great for encouraging outdoor learning, they can also be a valuable resource for improving children’s physical and mental wellbeing. A positive wellbeing will directly impact their behaviour, and schools with a strong behaviour culture will see a positive impact on their students’ attendance and attainment. This is particularly important when it is true that children with no absence at KS4 are almost 2 times more likely to achieve 5 or more GCSEs than children who missed 10-15% of lessons! So, getting them in to the right mindset and habit at an early age is crucial.

What’s more, playground markings can even help with achieving an outstanding Ofsted rating. From supporting the quality of education, personal development, and behaviours and attitudes – you can find out more information in this blog post.

The Governments objectives to ‘level up’ education goes for all children and young people including those with special educational needs. Many of our playground markings are inclusive and suitable for SEND schools too but if there’s a design we don’t have, we can create a completely bespoke design for you, or modify any of our current designs to suit your requirements.

As cited in the white paper, “the cornerstones of a broad, academic, knowledge-rich curriculum are literacy and numeracy. From early years, right through a child’s time in school, securing the basics of literacy and numeracy are non-negotiable as the gateway to further learning, attainment, and fulfilling experiences”.

So, don’t delay! Enrich your school playground with plentiful opportunities for learning English and maths in a way that is engaging and fun! Our playground markings will benefit children throughout their time at school as well as future pupils joining since they last up to ten years. Ask our friendly team for a free quote today and start your journey to achieving an improved education.

 

Read more of our blogs:

How playground markings can help achieve an outstanding Ofsted rating

Playground markings that help teach maths

Playground activities to help children learn to read

Our series about fantastic classic playground games continues with two more amazing entries! “Hot Potato” and “Capture The Flag” are guaranteed to help children burn their energy, while growing healthier and happier with every second spent on the playground. In case you missed it, don’t forget to check out our first and second entries of our series to find out how to play even more classic playground games!

How to play Hot Potato

Hot Potato is a group game that can be played both indoors and outdoors. It is super easy to get into, can be modified to play in different ways, and without a doubt guarantees tons of fun for everybody! Apart from bringing lots of smiles, this game also improves children’s reactions, general body control, concentration, and prediction skills.

In order to play Hot Potato, you will need at least two friends to join you, a music source and an object that is easy to hold, pass, and throw, playing the role of a “Hot Potato”. Some great options for your “potato” are footballs, bean bags, or tennis balls.

The aim of the game is to make sure you are not left holding the “potato” when the music stops – which happens at the end of each round – in order to make it to the end and win the game.

Before you start, one person must be selected to be in charge of stopping and starting the music. You and the rest of your friends will then form a circle, passing the “potato” from one person to the other, while the music is playing. The “potato” can be thrown in any direction in the circle and doesn’t have to be passed clockwise or anti-clockwise.

When the chosen person stops the music, whoever is last holding the “potato” gets “burned” and drops out of the game, marking the end of a round. A new round then begins, eventually leading to another participant, who was holding the “potato” last, dropping out. The rounds continue until there is only one player remaining and they become the winner!

How to play Capture the Flag

Capture the Flag is a very fun and active game, which is beneficial for developing teamwork and coordination skills as well as actively promoting physical health.

There are a multitude of variations of this game, but in general the goal is to capture the flag of the other team and bring it to your own side of the field, while defending your own flag.

Setup:

1. First, split your children into two teams. An even number of players is preferred, but the more people you have, the greater the fun!
2. Within a standard game of Capture the Flag, no matter if the play area has defined borders or is an open space, each team will have:

• at least one flag or an item representing one.
• at least one zone where the flag is kept.
• a “jail”, where captured members of the opposing team can be brought.

Teams should evenly split the play area, form their territories and mark where each zone is, or simply use objects within the play area as zones (e.g. trees or benches).

Basic Rules:

1. Get the flag of the opposing team to your own area to win!
2. Once you enter the “enemy” area, you can be tagged. You are completely safe in your own team area.
3. Once tagged, you can either be brought to the jail zone of the opposing team or be frozen on the spot that you were tagged at. In either case, a team member needs to save you before you can resume playing.
4. Once you are saved, you must go back to your team area before trying to capture the flag or save again. On your way back to your own team area, you cannot tag or be tagged.
5. The teammate who does the saving is not immune to being tagged.
6. Enemy team flag zones are safe zones for you, so you cannot be tagged within them.

Make sure to check out our Capture The Flag thermoplastic playground markings, as well as the abundance of other durable and vibrant designs for playground games in our range of playground markings for schools!

 

Read more of our blogs:

How to make your playground more inclusive

We also take care of car parks and safety zones

Playground activities for teenagers