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Sandfield Natural Play Centre in Whiston has beaten off the competition to be named the UK's 'Nursery of the Year' following support from The Mersey Forest to turn its grounds into a haven for natural play.
The Mersey Forest secured £10,000 from Cory Environmental Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund to prepare Sandfield's grounds for outdoor learning that helps re-connect children with nature.
The funding enabled a 10-year management plan to be created for the Centre's woodland and a tree safety audit to be carried out, and task days to be coordinated to clear litter and rhododendron with BTCV and staff from the Northwest Regional Development Agency. The woodland's wildlife value was enhanced by planting extra species of trees, and a family cooking session was held to introduce parents to the idea of 'Forest School' outdoor learning.
Now, Sandfield's outdoor learning in the woodland is proving a huge hit. One parent said: "I tell my child he is going and a huge smile breaks out across his face. This nursery is an ideal setting for his adventurous streak!"
Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of award organisers the National Day Nurseries Association, said: "During our visit it was great to see children taking part in a range of outdoor activities such as making mud pies, climbing trees and enjoying the magic of a camp fire."
The Mersey Forest is now looking into the feasibility of a woodland improvement grant for Sandfield through the Forestry Commission's English Woodland Grant Scheme. The Natural Play Centre is also developing its natural play philosophy with outdoor expert, author and international trainer Jan White, and is a case study for Play England, with whom it is working on a project to improve play in primary schools.