• No more astroturf and plastic swings for the kids at Christ the King School’s kindy, who get to sink their toes in mud and build homes out of – well, anything. Photo by Steve Grant.

THERE’S been a mini revolution at Christ the King School’s kindy in Beaconsfield, which the teachers are hoping will catch on and transform Catholic education across WA.

The school recently consigned the convent-like austerity of the kids’ astroturf playground to history by installing a nature playground complete with a mud pit, timber cubby and even a mini waterfall.

But the school’s early learning coordinator Sheree Anderson said there was still a missing element.

“We realised we needed to get the kids to play without us,” Ms Anderson said.

They came across the theory of Loose Parts, which was developed in the 1970s by architect Simon Nicholson who believed odds and ends around the environment could help empower creativity.

So Ms Anderson sent a call out to parents to bring along random items from around the house.

“We got pipes, wheels, a floor sweeper; all sorts of things and the kids just take it to another level,” she said.

“It’s about transient materials which can become anything the kids can imagine, it’s open-ended play and it’s inquiry-based.”

Deputy principal Kristy Polimeno said the school’s leadership team were initially nervous about the kindy plans, but seeing improved outcomes in areas as diverse as speech development, resilience and behaviour they became enthusiastic supporters.

Ms Polimeno said parents have also been thrilled with the outcome – some even stay to play along. The school has been nominated for a global Leadership in Energy Design award.

by STEVE GRANT