About Compass Playgrounds

Specialists in natural playgrounds for Early Childhood Centres and Schools, New Zealand wide

At Compass Playgrounds, we know that a great playground provides opportunities to be active, construct, explore, and interact. A playground is an important aspect of every child’s educational experience.

The challenge for schools is to be able to provide aesthetically pleasing spaces for their Tamariki, Whanau, and Staff. Calming spaces where imagination can flourish rather than be prescribed.

That’s why we create natural, attractive, and exciting areas for children. We know that children use these spaces more and get more out of them. Natural play spaces also allow for quiet, calmer contemplative play. They provide a more attractive asset for your school or centre.

We also understand that redesigning and building a new playground can be daunting. Compass Playgrounds take care of the entire process from consultation to building. We hand your playground over in pristine condition.

Tim Anderson leads Compass Playgrounds. Tim has both a Masters in Education and a Diploma in Teaching in Early Childhood Education. Praised by teachers, parents, and ERO, Compass Playgrounds have been transforming playgrounds since 2017.

Compass works in consultation with your community and staff. We help you realise your communities vision. We ensure that you get the play environment you want.

If you are considering redesigning your outdoor areas please get in touch.

Compass Playgrounds has been an excellent partner to us in the area of playground development, completing four new early childhood centres and several renovations for us in the last four years. With Tim’s background in early childhood education, he understands the regulatory requirements and, more importantly, he understands our end users – the children.

Tim and his team have upheld our principles and exceeded our expectations and a high-quality finish was delivered – and they stand by their work, committed to excellence.

I would highly recommend Compass Playgrounds. Tim Anderson has gone above and beyond to assist us in meeting our goals and truly understands what it takes to maintain a productive relationship with his clients.

Jenny Pitama

Manager- Business Development

Kidsfirst Kindergartens Head Office

Kidsfirst Logo

We believe in better spaces for learning

As adults we strive to make our home, work and public spaces, aesthetically pleasing so that we feel connected to the places we occupy.

I believe we should provide the same type of space for our children.

Over stimulation

I see far too much emphasis in early childhood on making playgrounds “stimulating”. This leads to a cluttered, brightly coloured mish-mash which is a visual assault. It means that children react with rowdy, unfocused behaviour.

Children too need to feel at peace in the spaces that surround them. This is why I try to provide an outdoor environment that reflects the beauty of nature.

Human connection to nature

We are creating environments not only for children, but for the staff, and parents. Adults should feel at home and welcome in the play environment too. They should also feel a connection with the place where their children spend many hours each day.

Every playground I create, I take care to ensure that there are unique creations. This creates interest and excites the people who work and play there.

Urban Existence

Modern living means that children have fewer opportunities to experience nature. Walks on beaches, strolls in the bush or messing about in a stream. We need to provide an approximation of this kind of experience within our centres.

Non-prescriptive spaces

Creativity is also important to preschool playground construction. Children need to develop an appreciation of their environment. Giving them beautiful surroundings encourages this.

The meaning of our logo

The Compass Rose, which is an integral part of our logo, represents the guidance needed to set children up for their journey. It is my role to help facilitate this journey.

HOW TO GET STARTED

01 Gloves

Contact

Download and fill out your playground worksheet.

02 Clipboard

Consultation

Send us your plans or ideas or contact us for a free consultation.

03 Design Build

Build and Design

We create a unique playground on your site with our full design & construction service.

WANT TO WORK WITH US

Get a playground for your school or centre that works for you and your children.
Contact us to arrange a FREE, no-obligation consultation.