Outstanding EYFS Outdoor Area Design

Creating a high-quality EYFS outdoor area isn’t just about adding some nursery play equipment and hoping for the best. It’s about designing a purposeful space that supports child development, sparks creativity, and makes outdoor learning fun.

With over 28,000 playgrounds delivered and a glowing recommendation rate from schools and nurseries across the UK, Fawns has become one of the most trusted names in outdoor play.

Why? Because we don’t just drop off the equipment, we partner with you to design and deliver the complete experience.

From the very first chat to the final tidy-up, we work hard to make the process simple, smooth, and hassle-free. We know how busy nursery life can be, so we plan everything to cause as little disruption to your day as possible. Our friendly team handles all the logistics, installation, and safety checks. So you can focus on what you do best.

Let’s Talk About EYFS Physical Development (And Why Outdoor Play is Crucial)

Across the UK, children’s activity levels are on the decline, and it’s becoming a real concern.

Ofsted’s PE subject review flagged fundamental movement skills as a growing issue in both primary and early years settings. The review highlights that more children are starting school without the basic balance, coordination, and motor control they need to access the curriculum confidently.

But here’s the good news: outdoor play is one of the most effective ways to improve these skills. Especially when it’s well designed. An engaging outdoor area EYFS setting isn’t just about fun (although there’s plenty of that!). It’s about crawling, climbing, balancing, reaching, and building confidence in every movement.

Our EYFS outdoor area ideas are rooted in this understanding. We create play spaces that naturally encourage physical development while keeping things exciting and child-led. So while the children are playing, they’re also getting school-ready, and building lifelong healthy habits.

Supporting All 7 Areas of Learning Through Play

A well-designed EYFS outdoor area should never be an afterthought. It should be a fully integrated part of your setting’s educational journey. That’s why every design we create is built around the 7 areas of learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

From communication-rich role play zones to wooden climbing frames that challenge gross motor skills, our playgrounds support:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Physical development
• Communication and language
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

Whether you’re working with a small space or dreaming big, we’ll help you create an EYFS playground that builds confidence, encourages curiosity and makes outdoor learning something children (and staff!) genuinely look forward to.

Expert Design Backed by Evidence-Based Pedagogies

At Fawns, we take pride in having one of the most knowledgeable teams in the industry, and we’re always learning more.

Our playground consultants and in-house designers aren’t just experienced. They’re specialists in EYFS play and development. We regularly invest in training from education experts and play professionals so that our designs align with the latest pedagogies and evidence-based practice. Whether it’s inclusive design, sensory needs, or how to support child-led learning, our team has the expertise to bring it all together.

So when you work with us, you’re not just getting someone who can draw up an engaging playground. You’re getting a partner who understands how children learn, what settings need, and how to make play purposeful, fun, and developmentally rich.

We’re Known for Our Excellent Service (And We Mean It!)

Whether you’re a nursery, a school, a parish council or a commercial organisation, working with Fawns means getting the full package, and that includes first-class customer service.

We’re big believers in being helpful, honest and easy to work with. From your very first enquiry, we’re here to guide you through the options, offer expert advice, and keep you updated every step of the way. Our team is friendly, responsive and genuinely cares about getting it right for you, and the children. You’ll be given a dedicated Contracts Manager for the project, your point of contact to make it all simple.

We don’t believe in pushy sales pitches. We believe in partnership. And with zero cost for your initial consultation, design visuals, and playground project quote. There’s nothing to lose by exploring what your EYFS outdoor area could become.

Ready to Transform Your Nursery Outdoor Space?

Whether you’re at the start of your journey as a new school-based nursery, or looking to refresh an existing EYFS outdoor area, Fawns is here to help with creative, purposeful EYFS outdoor area ideas.

From full outdoor playgrounds for nurseries to smart updates in smaller spaces, we’ll help you get the most out of your outdoor provision.

Get in touch with our friendly team to start your free design consultation today.