Our story

In May 1997, Woodland Playground co-founders Mandy and Jamie Coker began their journey together, marrying in their hometown if Northamptonshire. A little over two years later, in the autumn of 1999, they welcomed their first child, Jordan, who would later become the third founder of Woodland Playground.

From the start, Mandy was dedicated to a career in childcare. She progressed from running her own childminding business to working in nurseries and eventually into management, consistently bringing fresh and creative ideas to every role. Among her many innovations were bespoke equipment and resources crafted by her husband Jamie, a talented and detail-oriented creator.

Jamie learned the trade of engineering while working in Northamptonshire's shoe factories, but his creative nature always pushed him to explore beyond the demands of his day job. In his free time, he poured his energy into diverse projects, from motorcycle painting to leather carving. When Mandy asked him to make child-friendly resources for her work, Jamie embraced the challenge, ensuring every item was of exceptional quality. Over the years, wherever Mandy’s career took her, Jamie’s wooden creations followed, earning admiration for their craftsmanship and usability.

Their son Jordan followed in his father’s footsteps, starting work part-time at the shoe factory in 2017 while studying Carpentry and Joinery at college. Jordan’s natural aptitude and commitment quickly stood out. Within a year, he secured a full-time role and continued to excel, mastering both the technical and customer-focused aspects of the business. By 2022, he had taken on sales and administrative responsibilities, eager to broaden his skills.

        

For years, Mandy had urged Jamie to consider selling his wooden creations. Finally, inspired by their combined expertise—Jamie’s precision craftsmanship, Mandy’s childcare knowledge, and Jordan’s drive and customer acumen—the trio decided to take the leap. Together, they founded Woodland Playground, a family-run business dedicated to creating high-quality, safe, and engaging products for children.

At Woodland Playground, we believe in the power of thoughtful, handcrafted designs to make a difference in early years education. Our products stand apart because:

They’re ready to use: Woodland Playground products are designed for convenience, the minimal assembly required, ensuring a hassle-free experience for our customers.

They’re built to last: We use durable materials to ensure our resources are both affordable and long-lasting.

They’re safe: Every product is sanded smooth with rounded edges to eliminate sharp corners. Each piece is inspected at every stage of manufacturing to guarantee maximum safety.

Above all, we believe every child deserves access to resources that inspire creativity, exploration, and learning.

We’re excited to embark on this journey, helping educators enhance children’s experiences through our products. As a family-run business, we are committed to building lasting relationships with our customers, offering trusted products that support learning, play, and safety.