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.
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.
“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.
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.
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Manchester City set to re-sign former youth keeper James Trafford
Danny Jones
Manchester City look set to re-sign their former academy goalkeeper, James Trafford, just over two years after he left the club.
The Burnley shot-stopper was signed by the Lancashire side back in June 2023 after he impressed in two consecutive seasons on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
Now, just a few transfer windows later, it looks like Man City are set to fend off interest from other Premier League outfits for the chance to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, an agreement is already in place for him to return to Manchester in the next few days.
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City agree deal to sign James Trafford as new goalkeeper, here we go!
Deal in place with Burnley under value of £40m buy back clause. Trafford said yes to Man City as Pep Guardiola wanted him.
According to Romano, the Cockermouth-born and Carlisle-blooded keeper, who joined the City youth setup at the age of 12, will be signed once again for a fee below the previously reported £40m price tag.
Although the details of the contract are yet to be fully confirmed, it is said that City maintained the option to match the bid of any other team that came in within three days as part of the stipulation.
Backed up by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, it seems the club have done just that, entering a matched price of £27m (before add-ons) after an offer was made by Newcastle United.
Once again, the wages he will earn upon returning to the Etihad remain undisclosed, but you can assume they have promised a more attractive package than Newcastle; you would expect some assurances surrounding playing time, too.
Although Ederson is the first-choice goalkeeper on paper, he and backup keeper Stefan Ortega have been increasingly rotated across multiple competitions, and the 22-year-old said in an interview back in 2021 that he believes he has the potential and talent to become “Manchester City’s number one.”
Here are some of the highlights from the previous term.
Having impressed at youth level for England and most notably keeping 29 clean sheets – conceding just 16 goals in all 45 league fixtures in 24/25 – with Burnley securing automatic promotion as one of the best defences in the EFL, he’s not just a young prospect any more: he’s a sought-after shot-stopper.
It seems only a matter of time before his comeback is officially announced by the clubs, with Trafford preparing to sign a five-year contract with his old employers and where the bulk of his youth development took place.
The question is, Man City fans: can you see him pushing Ederson and Ortega, who have both been linked with moves away themselves, for the starting gloves?
Meanwhile, although Pep might be looking to phase in a new go-to between the sticks, another member of his senior squad who has struggled to nail down a consistent spot in the first XI could, conversely, be on his way out the exit door.
Jack Grealish linked with Serie A switch as Manchester City star reportedly wants a move away
Danny Jones
Manchester City star and England international, Jack Grealish, has been linked with leaving for a possible Serie A switch as the midfielder is reportedly eyeing an exit from the Etihad Stadium.
The 29-year-old is already being monitored by a number of clubs here in England and in mainland Europe, but it appears that Italian champions Napoli have emerged as the latest and seemingly strongest suitors looking to add Jack Grealish to their growing roster.
A number of outlets are reporting interest from the ‘Gli Azzurri’, who have already signed former Man City talisman Kevin De Bruyne this summer, and look to be continuing with a productive period of recruitment ahead of defending their fourth league title – the second in the space of three seasons.
It wouldn’t be a change in colour or even in position, apparently, as they have identified him as a number of left-sided targets this summer, according to the likes of Corriere dello Sport.
🚨 Jack Grealish remains on a list of wingers still being considered by Napoli, @CorSport claim 👀🩵
The former Aston Villa favourite was left out of the FIFA Club World Cup after Pep Guardiola revealed the pair had shared “honest” discussions regarding his future in Manchester, but did reassure that it was the “best” decision for him and is not ruling out a resolution before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Telegraph‘s Matt Law states that Grealish has returned to City but only to train alone and will remain apart from the rest of the team until an outcome has been decided.
Other clubs that are said to be keen on tapping up the dynamic winger and attacking midfielder include Spurs, West Ham, Newcastle and even Everton are thought to be exploring a potential approach.
Guardiola‘s squad are expected to resume training on 28 July following a much-needed break post-tournament, which they crashed out of in the round of 16 following a shock defeat to Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that the England star has already flown to Naples.
As per Manchester Evening News (MEN), Grealish’s driver, Salvatore, told the ‘Radio Goal’ show on native station Kiss Kiss Napoli that the footballer is already training privately on the Amalfi Coast.
The outlet also recently wrote that the 29-year-old would be available if the right offer came in, with Man City supposedly wanting around £40 million for his prospective sale.
Jack Grealish is now considered well within his traditional ‘prime years’, and arguably soon to exit this crucial period for any athlete, so he will no doubt be pushing hard for a move this summer if his place with the sky blues is still undecided.
Despite being a well-regarded talent and regularly picked for his national team, the Brummy-born footballer has struggled to cement a spot in the starting XI under Pep, so perhaps leaving City might be the best for both Grealish and City, who are continuing to rebuild with new personnel.
He’s not the only Manchester-based star looking to the continent for a new lease on life.
Emily Sergeant -
21st January 2021 
