Big things are happening in our backyard! In October, work began on a complete renovation of the outdoor play space at Fireflies Early Learning Cooroy. When it’s finished, our children will have a brand-new playground designed for adventure, imagination, sensory play and plenty of fresh-air fun.
We’re so excited to share a first look at what’s coming.
What’s in the new playground?
A lighthouse cubby and play boat
The heart of the new space is a seaside-themed play zone. A tall blue-and-white lighthouse cubby house with porthole windows sits beside a wooden play boat, complete with its own ship’s wheel, set on a “sea” of blue softfall. It’s the perfect setting for pirate voyages, fishing trips and all kinds of storytelling.
A bike track loop
A concrete bike track circles a central lawn, giving children room to ride, scoot and push. Riding helps build balance, coordination and confidence, and it’s always a crowd favourite.
Swings and a raised deck
A timber swing set and a raised deck add more ways to climb, swing, gather and move, supporting gross motor skills and physical confidence.
A misting arbour for warm days
Our Sunshine Coast hinterland summers can be warm, so we’ve included a timber misting arbour. Children can cool off under a gentle mist while they play, and it’s a lovely sensory experience too.
Sandpit and mud kitchen
A new sandpit edged with sandstone blocks sits beside a mud kitchen, inviting children to dig, build, pour, mix and create. Messy, open-ended play like this is wonderful for creativity, problem-solving and early maths and science thinking.
Nature play and balance trails
Stepping stumps joined with rope, balance logs and garden beds filled with plants bring natural elements into the playground. These spaces encourage children to test their balance, take healthy risks and connect with nature.
A gathering circle
A ring of sandstone seating blocks creates a quiet spot for small-group conversations, stories and outdoor learning.
Soft, safe surfaces
The final stage includes new synthetic turf with 35mm softfall shock pads underneath, giving children a soft, safe and green surface to play on all year round.
How the works are being staged
To keep children safe and minimise disruption, the renovation is being completed in four stages over approximately eight weeks. Each work area is fenced off from the rest of the centre while construction is underway.
- Stage 1 – Misting Arbour, Sandpit and Mud Kitchen (approx. 3 weeks)
- Stage 2 – Lighthouse Cubby House and Play Boat (approx. 2 weeks)
- Stage 3 – Bike Track, Raised Deck and Swings (approx. 2 weeks)
- Stage 4 – Synthetic Turf and Final Completion (approx. 1 week)
Why outdoor play matters
Outdoor play is a big part of how young children learn. It builds strength and coordination, encourages friendships and teamwork, and gives children the freedom to explore, imagine and discover. Our new playground has been designed to offer a mix of active, creative, sensory and quiet spaces, so every child can find their favourite place to play.
Thank you for your patience
We’d like to thank our families for their patience and understanding while the works are completed. Our educators are making sure children still enjoy plenty of outdoor play during construction, and we’ll keep you updated as each stage is finished.
We can’t wait to open the gates to our new playground. Stay tuned for photos as it comes to life!
Interested in a place for your child? Book a tour of Fireflies Early Learning Cooroy and come see our new outdoor space for yourself.
Note: The image shown is an artist’s impression of the proposed design. Final dimensions, materials and finishes may be refined during construction.