As headteachers across the country are well aware, school budgets have to be carefully considered to provide the best experience and education for pupils.
That being said, school playground equipment is an essential cost for child development. If you don’t have the budget available, it’s paramount that other methods are used to raise the money.
With over 45 years of experience installing 25,000+ playgrounds across the UK, Playdale knows the best ways to fundraise for your school playground.
Maintain educational play as a core facet of your school or nursery by first working out the cost of replacement or upkeep.
The amount of funding required depends on the size and scope of the project, including how much equipment is being purchased, how complex it will be to install and more.
When deciding on the scale of your project, ask yourself: Do you just want simple updates, or do you need a bespoke play area with sensory play, accessibility and inclusivity options?
If you’re considering a multi-purpose sports area, a MUGA might be for you – or perhaps an adventure trail that combines multiple types of play equipment.
Make a plan outlining exactly what you need from your school playground – this will help you set a clear fundraising target.
There are multiple avenues you can explore in school equipment fundraising, including reaching out to local businesses, starting a GoFundMe, running events or organising opportunities with parents.
Depending on the scale of your school playground, you may have to try multiple fundraising methods.
Schools are a core institution in our communities – so it’s not surprising that many local businesses are sympathetic to a cause that benefits their clientele and their children.
Businesses can also lower their tax bills when donating money to charitable causes, including donations to schools for playground equipment.
Leverage these factors to help recruit support from local businesses, perhaps with the incentive of free advertising – such as a plaque thanking the business for their support.
Bring teachers, parents and students together by organising a school playground fundraiser and similar events.
Perfect to raise at your next PTA meeting, tap into like-minded individuals in the community to raise money for your playground and bring the community together.
Popular fundraising activities include:
• Fun fairs
• Non-uniform days
• Cake sales
• Talent shows
• Raffles
• Online fundraisers
• School festival days
• And more – the only limit is your imagination!
Colleagues and parents can offer huge support by conducting their own sponsored activities in the name of your new playground equipment.
Popular sponsored activities include:
• Sponsored marathons
• Sponsored swims
• Sponsored silences
• And more!
Platforms such as GoFundMe and JustGiving can be used and shared online to raise funds for a school playground.
This allows any member of the community – including families and anonymous benefactors – to get involved from the comfort of their own home.
This option offers the potential for a wider funding reach and is the cheapest to set up.
Playdale offers Department of Education-approved leasing for school play equipment – the smart way to help fund your new playground without straining your budget.
Over 5,000 schools and academies across the UK have already chosen this route. If you’re slowly heading towards your goal, here’s why school playground leasing could be a good fit for your school:
Minimal Upfront Investment – Spread the cost over time rather than making a large one-off payment, allowing your school to upgrade its playground sooner while maintaining cash flow.
Protect Your Budget – Keep school capital free for other essential expenses, whether it’s classroom resources, building maintenance or new technology.
Invest in Quality – Flexible payment options mean you don’t have to compromise on the standard of equipment. Choose durable, educational playground structures tailored to a range of age groups and learning needs.
Send a playground leasing request.
We’re always happy to provide funding advice as part of our free playground consultation service.
Get in touch with our friendly team today to explore your options and take the next step towards your ideal playground.
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