Vista Nova Primary unveils inclusive playground

Vista Nova Primary School in Rondebosch has unveiled their new inclusive playground, which is accessible to pupils with disabilities.

Private donors, school support staff, provincial education officials and parents were among the guests who saw the smiles and tears of the children who got to play in their very new playground at the launch last Wednesday, March 26.

The playground is for the school’s early childhood development (ECD) pupils who are in Grade 0 and Grade R, though all school pupils are welcome to use it.

Vista Nova principal Ricardo Ward says this new playground is amazing and innovative. “This is an opportunity for our disabled pupils to have their own playground and this ECD playground is tailored for our pupils who are using wheelchairs. We thank our sponsors and donors for their support,” he says.

The school’s head of ECD, Heidi Goslett and the school’s occupational therapist, Andrea Edgar led the fundraising campaign for the playground. Ms Goslett says they received support from anonymous donors in an amount they could not reveal.

This playground includes a roundabout and see-saw that have space for wheelchairs, as well as swings that can support the disabled pupils. It even has a small Astro turf road where children can learn about road safety.

“Here the pupils have a whole park for themselves; it's like a whole new world opened for them and they are so excited,” says Ms Goslett.

Provincial education spokesperson, Millicent Merton says her department welcomes the partnership between Vista Nova and donors to improve the lives of children.

“The school has taken the initiative to enhance the playground, making it user-friendly, child-centered and conducive to learning through physical and sensory development. We commend the school for this development as it will promote physical growth, health, emotional and social development, setting the trajectory for academic success,” she says.