The children and staff at Oakville Early Learning Centre had a summer to remember, thanks to the development of a brand-new outdoor playground space that sparked curiosity, creativity, and plenty of excitement. "We got a front row seat as we watched and waited for our new playground area to be developed," said Emily Hillier, director of the Oakville Early Learning Centre. "There was a lot of community involvement, and it really captured the children’s attention." Funded through a government grant and community support, the expansion project transformed the daycare's outdoor yard into a dynamic play environment. With the help of community members and local organizations, the project came to life piece by piece, starting with digging and leveling the yard and culminating in new features like a music wall, chalkboard, and a large climbing structure built from tires, rocks, and logs. One of the standout additions was a custom-built shade structure, donated by Carly Owen's law office and constructed by Vertex Construction. With each step that developed, the question from the children was always 'Is it ready yet' Hillier recalled. "Once it was, the children just really took to that new space. They had an amazing sense of wonder." The space encourages imaginative play, with children building catapults, walking on planks, and digging in the sand, often creating games and challenges out of the natural elements around them. Hillier says a quote that really ties the new outdoor space together for her and the centre, comes from Stephen Moss which is: "Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world, but themselves" - Stephen Moss And that rings true as the children have taken to their new space. As the fall season begins, the centre is also welcoming new staff and children. "September brings new rhythms and routines," said Hillier. "We've said goodbye to some children who started Grade 1, and we're wishing them all the very best. At the same time, we’re excited to welcome Kelly, Emily, and Carly to our team." A returning university student who worked at the centre over the summer will also be rejoining the team, adding to the positive energy as the centre enters a new season. "There’s a lot of love and care that went into expanding the space and building our team," Hillier said. "It’s been really enjoyed, and it’s just the beginning." Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@portageonline.com. PortageOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PortageOnline app.