The gaggle of small children wasted no time inspecting their new space.

Early childhood students at Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Catholic School in the Center Grove area ran on the cushiony surface of the playground to the fun that awaited them. The 2- and 3-year-olds hoisted themselves up on a small climbing wall, crossed the swinging bridge and zoomed down the slide.

Shrieks of laughter rippled through the space — which school officials hope ring out for years to come in the area.

“There is a joy in our youngest students that can’t be mirrored anywhere else on the planet,” said Rebecca Stone, principal at Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Catholic School. “Those 2- to 3-year-olds get really excited about all things in life, but seeing them out there playing, their smiles say it all

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