Dover Court International School Opens New NEST Discovery & Play Cove

Dover Court International School has officially opened its new NEST Discovery & Play Cove, a nature-inspired outdoor learning environment for children from Nursery to Year 2.

As students returned for the start of the 2026-27 academic year, Wolfie, the school's mascot, joined Principal Richard Vaughan and Head of Primary David Buckley to cut the ceremonial ribbon, with children among the first to experience the new playground.

The Discovery & Play Cove is part of Dover Court's NEST (Nurturing Early Success Together) programme which supports children from Nursery to Year 2 through a blend of academic foundation, inquiry and play. Designed as a purpose-built outdoor learning environment, the space encourages children to explore, create, collaborate and build confidence through everyday play.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, children explored the different areas of the new space, from climbing and balancing equipment to sensory and imaginative play zones.

Spanning 806 square metres, the nature-inspired playground has been carefully planned to support children's development across a range of interconnected zones. These include physical challenge areas with climbing nets, rope bridges and obstacle courses, imaginative play spaces, sensory experiences, sand and water play areas, quiet corners for reflection and social spaces that encourage communication and teamwork.

The project was shaped not only by educators and playground specialists, but also by the children themselves. During the design phase, students shared their ideas about how they wanted the space to look and feel. The result is a playground that reflects the interests and experiences of the children who use it every day.

Richard Vaughan, Principal of Dover Court International School, said:

"It has been wonderful to see children exploring a space that was designed with them in mind. The NEST Discovery & Play Cove encourages curiosity, creativity and independence, while giving children opportunities to learn through play, exploration and interaction with others. We're proud to see a project that was shaped with input from our students become part of their everyday learning."

Nestled within Dover Court’s dedicated Early Childhood area, the playground seamlessly blends the unique natural beauty of our green campus with innovative play experiences. Surrounded by mature heritage trees, natural materials and winding pathways, children are encouraged to discover, imagine and learn through exploration.

The Discovery & Play Cove was developed in partnership with Edupod Singapore and built using responsibly sourced FSC-certified timber. Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the project, with elements of the previous playground reused where possible and former equipment donated to local communities.

David Buckley, Head of Primary, said:

"Seeing children explore the space for the first time has been really special. Whether they're climbing, building, creating stories or playing together, every area has been designed to support learning through play. We know it will become an important part of daily life for our NEST learners."

More than just a playground, the NEST Discovery & Play Cove reflects Dover Court's commitment to creating environments where children can learn, play and grow. Shaped with input from the children who use it every day, the space encourages curiosity, creativity and exploration while providing new opportunities for discovery and connection as part of their learning journey.