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New River Green Children’s Centre in Islington supports early years education in a busy London borough. The nursery’s outdoor spaces are a big part of everyday life, giving children room to play, explore and learn year-round.
The nursery already had two older canopies on site. When council funding became available, the team saw a chance to refresh and expand their outdoor space.
The requirement
The nursery needed weatherproof, low-maintenance canopies to cover a mix of doors and play areas across the site.
The two older steel-framed canopies had gaps at the back that let in rain and reduced the usable space underneath, so they were ready to be replaced. Three new areas also needed cover, giving each classroom its own sheltered outdoor space that could be used year-round.
With a rare round of council funding secured, the team wanted to get it right with canopies that would seal properly to the building and stand the test of time.
The challenge
With limited space around the nursery and tricky access for vehicles, planning the installation took careful coordination. There wasn’t much room for storing materials or moving equipment, so everything had to be timed right.
We worked closely with the nursery team to create a clear installation schedule. By carrying out the work during the Easter holidays, we kept disruption to a minimum and made sure everything was ready for the children’s return.
The solution
We recommended our Connekt canopy system, installed with posts positioned right at the edge of the building. This meant the canopies could project out without any front posts getting in the way of movement or play. Rear panels were used to seal each structure to the wall and stop rain coming through at the back – a big improvement on the older designs.
In total, we installed three Connekt canopies across the site, which together created five sheltered areas. We visited the nursery several times to talk through options and tailor the solution to each part of the building.
Results
The new canopies have transformed the outdoor areas, giving every classroom direct access to a safe, sheltered space that can be used all year round. With no gaps at the back and no posts in the way, the spaces underneath are fully protected and easy to move through.
The canopies are low maintenance, built to last and designed to support the nursery’s day-to-day needs for years to come. We also arranged for the old steel frames to be recycled locally, helping to keep the site clear and reduce waste during the project.
“The support of the team from start to finish was fantastic – they answered all of my queries quickly, the work flowed as planned and the team here were focused and adaptable, especially as we were still open to service users.”
Ann Curran, Head of Nursery, New River Children’s Centre