Cheeky Monkeys Childcare

Cheeky Monkeys Childcare Case Study

The Brief:

Cheeky Monkeys Childcare and Abbotsvale Community Centre in Barrow approached Eden Play with a shared vision: to transform a disused bowling green into a dynamic, multi-functional outdoor learning and play environment.

The nursery aimed to expand its facilities to increase capacity for local families, while the community centre sought to create a space that could be enjoyed year-round by both children and the wider community.

Key priorities included the installation of a fully insulated outdoor classroom to accommodate more nursery places, alongside a safe and engaging playground that promoted active, imaginative play.

Another central feature was the creation of the Abbotsvale Oasis, a community space with a sensory bike track designed to inspire movement, inclusion, and wellbeing.

Our approach:

Working in close collaboration with the nursery’s management team and members of the community centre, we designed a bespoke outdoor environment that seamlessly blended play, education, and community use.

Our goal was to reimagine the disused bowling green as a safe, inclusive space that supports EYFS outdoor learning and encourages people of all ages to explore, imagine, and connect through play.

We began with a detailed site assessment and developed a layout that maximised available space, introduced clearly defined play zones, and supported a wide variety of outdoor activities. Central to the design was a fully Insulated Outdoor Classroom, built to complement the nursery’s existing facilities and meet all local planning and building regulations.

We also designed a bespoke sensory trail and bike track to anchor the community-focused area.

To ensure the project was financially achievable, we proposed a phased installation plan, allowing the transformation to progress in line with available funding while maintaining the integrity of the overall vision.

Before

After

What we delivered:

At the heart of the project is a fully Insulated Outdoor Classroom, complete with laminate flooring, painted walls, and a practical kitchen area. Solar panels were installed to support long-term sustainability and energy efficiency.

This key facility enabled Cheeky Monkeys to expand its nursery provision, increasing capacity and providing a dedicated space for EYFS outdoor learning.

In the attached playground, we installed equipment to support physical development and motor skills, including a Toddler Bridge, Toddler Stairs, Busy Board, and Mark Making Easel to promote fine motor coordination. Sensory Mirrors and a Sensory Tunnel were added to encourage exploration, cognitive development, and imaginative play.

Picket fencing was installed to create a safe, enclosed nursery zone.

In the community-focused area, we created a bespoke bike track that winds through a sensory garden designed to stimulate movement, curiosity, and inclusivity. The garden features sensory planters and tactile panels to engage children’s senses and promote mindful, calming play.

A bike maintenance shed was also added, to be used by a local social enterprise offering hands-on learning opportunities.

Together, these elements support active, healthy lifestyles and create a welcoming space for both children and the wider Barrow community.

The Outcome:

The transformation of the disused bowling green into a vibrant outdoor learning and play environment has had a lasting impact on Cheeky Monkeys and the local community.

The fully Insulated Outdoor Classroom has increased nursery capacity and provided a flexible, year-round space for EYFS learning and enrichment. Children now enjoy a variety of play zones that support physical development, sensory engagement, and imaginative exploration.

The sensory bike track and garden have become a focal point for inclusive, active play, encouraging mindfulness, movement, and social connection.

Practical features like the bike maintenance shed offer real-world learning opportunities and promote healthy, hands-on engagement.

Overall, the project has delivered a safe, inspiring, and multi-functional outdoor space that reflects the nursery’s vision and serves as a valued community asset in Barrow.

It's for everybody

"We had a bowling green. It wasn't being used. It was stuck there. Nothing. And then we come up with these ideas. And it's marvellous what we've turned it into… People are coming all the time, you know, and it's good that different people can come. Whether you're disabled, whether you're with a child or whether you're a little child, whether you're old, it's for everybody!"

Jean Waiting, Abbotsvale Community Centre

View more of our pictures from Cheeky Monkeys Childcare below…