Overview
This weeks case study surrounds a new softplay installation for Mayfield School.
Mayfield School is a special educational needs school in Birmingham for primary and secondary age children with ASC (Autistic Spectrum Condition), SLD (Specific Learning Disorders) and PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Disability).
During their time at the school, the children are encouraged to engage positively in learning, expressing their choices and developing their personal strengths. Although the school already had a well-used softplay facility, the team at Sensory Technology were contacted to help upgrade the space, and introduce some new fun obstacles for the children to explore and enhance their proprioceptive learning.
Project Brief
To start off the project, we were asked to remove all existing softplay padding and create a complete new design for the space. Within this, the goal was to create an engaging environment, with a range of safe obstacles for the children to navigate – from squeezing and crawling to balancing and jumping.
Softplay Design Process
Throughout the space, we fitted floor and wall padding – designed to fit up to ceiling height. Due to the low ceiling height and the variety of ages accessing the space, we were unable to incorporate our popular steps, slide and podium into the design.
Instead, we included an infinity den which was extended up to the ceiling to prevent the children from climbing up and avoiding any potential injuries. This den would provide a lovely, relaxed space with twinkling stars on the ceiling inside and acrylic mirrors to reflect the lights.
To contribute towards the visuals we incorporated mood lighting throughout the space, which further aids in sensory regulation. The children also have the option to interact with and change the lighting with our soft-padded cube remote.
The various softplay obstacles also included a mangle to squeeze through, the trampette to rebound on and the stepping stones and balance beam to test the children’s balance with various heights and lengths. With these featured, we were also able to maintain enough space around the obstacles for the children to relax and use any loose softplay times.
Although the original colour scheme for the room was primarily bright, we decided to incorporate our new calming colour swatches to help the children regulate as they enjoyed the space, avoiding any overstimulation. The colour shades chosen for space were ice blue and lilac, with a darker contrast colour for the varying obstacles to clearly assess the height.
Installation and Training Process
To ensure the best fit and finish, the existing padding was removed prior to survey to enable our design engineer to thoroughly assess the walls and floor. He then created a scaled model of the padding for approval prior to manufacture, ensuring that the school was completely happy with the design and colours selected.
After gaining approval, the softplay system was installed, resulting in a fresh, exciting and safe environment for the children to discover and enjoy.
Although the room was mainly soft padding, as part of our standard training we ensured that the staff also had full knowledge of the mood lighting controls so that they could get the best from the system during their sessions.
Before Softplay Installation
After Softplay Installation
Completion
With the combination of calming colours, the use of interactive mood lighting and a range of traditional soft play elements – the students now have a fresh space to safely express themselves, develop core skills and self-regulate.
