By Boyd Robertson

Kids at a Douglas childcare facility are having fun in an all-new playground.

A two-month renovation of Port Explorers Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten’s playground wrapped up yesterday,  with the kids now having access to a miniature bike path, water park, stepping stones, toddler area, new gardens and more.

The project was initiated by new owner Heather Jenkins when she purchased Port Explorers in April 2013, along with other upgrades like a new kitchen.

The upgrade was carried out by Papillon Landscapes, with many of the installations being sourced from southern areas such as Brisbane.

Previously kids at Port Explorers only had a spartan flat concrete recreation area with a single sandbox to play in.

Assistant director Julie McDonald said that the kids were already enjoying the new features.

“They’re loving it, absolutely loving every bit of it,” she said.

“They’ve helped with a lot along the way, helping with planting the plants and they have a worm garden that they use that helps them grow all our plants - they’ve also enjoyed watching the builders from Papillon and talking to them and learning about gardening and building from them, it’s been awesome for them.

“A lot of the features are interactive and promote cognitive skills in the kids - there’s also a new sensory garden for the babies that incorporates a lot of nature.”

Future plans for Port Explorers including painting the outside of the facility and the construction of a new staff room.

Children from 71 families attend Port Explorers.