Outdoor Exploration in Four Age-Appropriate Playgrounds

Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA provides quality child care and early education for children as young as 6 weeks. Situated on a beautiful three-acre campus, Kirby encourages outdoor exploration as children build educational, physical and social foundations. Four age-appropriate outdoor playgrounds offer students at Kirby the opportunity to learn, grow and play year-round.

Kirby’s outdoor structures ensure a range of play for all children. Infant to school age students experience a variety of outdoor play spaces utilizing age appropriate equipment to expand physical development. The infant playground offers students up to 20 months a structure that promotes gross motor skills while a fenced-in area offers a place for early walkers, or waddlers, to master their movements before joining their classmates. Foam flooring on both structures ensure that children play safely.

As the students grow, Kirby’s outdoor structures provide a safe space for interactive physical development. Kirby’s toddler playground fosters learning about transportation, numbers and letters as they continue to develop their healthy minds and bodies. As the students enter preschool, they have the opportunity to further participate in STEM activities while outside. Complete with a mud kitchen, stage, and climbing web, the preschool playground allows students to express their creativity while learning about measurements, teamwork and problem-solving.

Inspected regularly by the Office of Licensing and Playground Inspection Professionals, LLC, Kirby’s playgrounds promote a safe and educational environment for students to develop necessary skills while sunshades ensure that outdoor learning activity continues all year. Weather permitting, classrooms are encouraged to explore the outdoors at least three times each day. Teachers plan lessons accordingly so students can further explore their imagination while remaining physically active.

Interested in enrollment? Select classroom opportunities are available for the school year which begins on Monday, August 31. Please email Director of Child Care Services, Karen Fusco at KFusco@madisonymca.org.