Organic child-led learning in the great outdoors has always been very firmly at the heart of the Broadheath nursery, with the care providers committed to delivering a natural approach that’s based around letting the kids spend as much time as possible within nature.
But in light of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and with more childcare professionals and schools embracing an outdoor-based learning approach for the immediate future, the nursery has invested heavily in its already beautiful outdoor space.
The spectacular new site is setting standards in the early years education field.
ADVERTISEMENT
Anne Statham – Curriculum and Training Development Consultant at Back to the Garden Childcare – said: “We’ve always believed that some of the best and most natural learning takes place outdoors, and with current concerns about limiting the spread of the coronavirus, we have redeveloped our beautiful tepee, potting shed and garden space transforming it into a wonderful outdoor classroom and safe place for the children to learn and play.
“In the current climate, outdoors is the safest place to be – the risk of transmission of the virus is much lower and it is easier to put social distancing measures in place.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Being outdoors is fundamental to our values and we have really made the most of our beautiful outdoor space to embrace a new way of learning and playing that is unique and very special to us at Back to the Garden.”
The outdoor classroom comprises three distinct areas – the tepee, the potting shed and the garden.
Previously a much loved space for storytelling and regular yoga and wellness activities, the tepee has now become an engaging area for the little ones with the addition of a projector and soundbox that enables the children to enjoy light projections and learning experiences with external visitors who would usually come into the nursery – such as its key partner The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester – and a sensory soundscape with things to watch, smell and touch for the babies.
ADVERTISEMENT
The tepee is completed with the introduction of a fantastic apothecary-style Wunderkabinett, with lots of little drawers in which to store the children’s natural treasures and loose parts collection of sticks, logs, pebbles and pipes.
Back to the Garden’s potting shed has taken on a new role as a space for woodworking, creating and natural crafts, where the children can explore the different effects of hammering, screwing, sanding, and general making and fixing.
Jeannie Pickering – Founder at Back to the Garden Childcare – added: “Our all-weather outdoor space really is an incredible asset that underlines and reinforces the wonderful natural ethos of our nursery and provides us with an enviable organic space in which we can interact, learn, discover, be creative and let the children physically challenge themselves and we look forward to delivering a creative and natural curriculum in this space.
“This is just the beginning for our outdoor classroom project, and we are excited to follow the progress of the children as they explore the new spaces.
“When restrictions allow, we will combine the outdoor classroom with regular visits to our favourite local outdoor spaces for further natural forest school learning experiences such as den building, nature bingo and treasure collecting to find natural materials that we can bring back and use within the nursery setting.”
For further information, or to make an appointment to view the nursery, you can call Back to the Garden Childcare on 0161 537 7999, or the website here.
Trending
IKEA is hosting a massive pyjama day with free breakfasts and £15 discounts this weekend
Emily Sergeant
IKEA is hosting a massive pyjama day at stores across the UK this weekend, and it sounds like the perfect excuse for a lazy day.
Don’t you just wish it was socially acceptable to wear your pyjamas in public sometimes?
Well now you can actually get away with it for once, as Swedish furniture retailer IKEA is hosting one of the most unique shopping experiences there is this weekend, and is inviting customers to ditch their daywear and don their favourite PJs instead.
Promising to be “a fun day out for all the family”, IKEA’s Pyjama Day is the perfect opportunity to shop for all your home needs in the most comfortable attire imaginable.
IKEA is hosting a massive pyjama day this weekend / Credit: IKEA
In a move that’s sure to be a bit of a dream come true for lazy Mancs, all late risers and loungewear lovers can get themselves down to either the Ashton or Warrington IKEA stores to make the most of all the cosy action.
Anyone signed up to be an ‘IKEA Family’ member who visits their local store wearing pyjamas this weekend can help themselves to a free breakfast of either a small cooked Full English or a breakfast roll, with veggie and vegan options available, or any children’s breakfast for those under 16.
That’s not all either, as pyjama-clad shoppers will also be able to snag an exclusive £15 discount when they spend £50 or more in-store on the same day.
If all of that wasn’t enough to get you down there as it is, there’s also set to be a special visit from BJÖRN bear in the restaurant for little ones, as well as loads of other free events in stores nationwide to get yourselves stuck into.
To bag your free breakfast and £15 discount, you just need to become an ‘IKEA Family’ member first by signing up for free on the IKEA website to unlock access to a range of exclusive deals and benefits, as well as up to 20% off on IKEA ‘Sleep Essentials’ until Monday 30 September.
To turn up in your PJs though? That’s open to all.
IKEA Pyjama Day is taking place at stores nationwide this Saturday 7 September, and you can find out more on the IKEA website here.
Featured Image – IKEA
Trending
Costa, Greggs, and more unveil 2024 autumn menus full of new toasties, cakes, and seasonal drinks
Emily Sergeant
Tasty toasties, cakes, seasonal drinks, and more all feature on the new 2024 autumn menus at a handful of popular high street coffee shop chains.
As summer draws to a close and the colder months edge closer, it’s not uncommon the high street’s best-loved coffee shop chains to unveil their limited-edition autumn menus around this time to help get us in the spirit.
Thankfully, Costa, Greggs, Starbucks, and Pret have all delivered so far.
Chicken and chorizo paninis, hog roast toasties, salt beef baguettes, salted caramel chocolate cakes, stem ginger cookies, and pumpkin spice doughnuts are just a selection of the mouthwatering foodie treats forming part of the new seasonal menus that you’ll soon be able to tuck into at each of the chains.
And of course, what would autumn be without pumpkin spice lattes? The cult-classic drink is now on the menu in both hot and cold format at Greggs, Pret, and its original home, Starbucks.
Costa, Greggs, and more have unveiled their new autumn menus for 2024 / Credit: Costa
Over at Costa, there’s a wide range of new items having been added to the lineup for the next couple of months, with some of the highlights being the Brie, Bacon, and Chilli Jam Panini, the Chilli Beef and Cheddar Toastie, a Sticky Pecan Mini Loaf, and a spooky iced gingerbread ghost biscuit, perfect for little ones or as a sweet snack.
Alongside the newbies, Costa’s fan-favourite Hog Roast Toastie, Roast Chicken and Bacon Sandwich, and Chocolate and Salted Caramel Cake will also be returning, as will the massively-popular Maple Hazel drinks range.
At Greggs, there’s a stunning selection of pumpkin spice treats to choose from, including the Pumpkin Spice Doughnut and classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, as well as other seasonal hot drinks like the Orange Mocha and Orange Hot Chocolate, and the much-loved Salted Caramel Latte, while when it comes to savoury options, there’s a new Mexican Bean and Spicy Cheese Flatbread, and an All-Day Breakfast Baguette to see you through the day.
The limited-edition menus are full of tasty toasties, sweet treats, and seasonal drinks / Credit: Pret | Greggs
Pret has also joined the pumpkin spice and salted caramel bandwagon for another year, with both lattes returning yet again, but some of the stand-out new additions to its menu include the Mushroom Florentine Toastie, the Beef & Horseradish Baguette, the Cinnamon Crown, and Spiced Apple & Pecan Muffin.
Starbucks is yet to fully unveil its new autumn menu, but is expected to do so very soon so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
However, what we do know is that the original Pumpkin Spice Latte is already back in all its glory.
Greggs and Pret’s new autumn menus are now available to tuck into for a limited time only, while Costa’s launches nationwide this Thursday (5 September), and Starbucks will be in due course.