NEW GARDEN IS AIMING TO HELP LITTLE ONES GROW

A NEW role play room is opening in Bearwood, complete with a wooden allotment, vegetables, a dino dig sandpit, grocery shop and cafe.

The Magic Garden has been designed by artist Romany Crew-Henry, a former playscheme worker, and her partner Shane Ubhi.

There’s also a baby sensory room, rabbits to pet and coffee and cakes for parents.

“Our role play room is quite different to other ones I’ve visited,” says Romany, who used to work with children at a private play-scheme in Chelsea and now lives in Bearwood.

“They are usually based around a town with a police station and shops. I wanted ours to have an outdoor theme so that children can be educated about the great outdoors.”

She added: “It’s something children need to learn about, especially in urban areas where they don’t always get to see that. The idea is it’s all about vegetables growing then being used in the role play shop and cafe.

“There’s an indoor allotment, a large indoor sandpit archaeological site and a calm, sensory room for babies and children who might prefer to read or draw during their visit.

“Whether they’re plucking vegetables from the allotment or digging for dinosaur bones in the sandpit, shopping at the farmers market or serving ice-cream in the cafe, there’s a range of exciting role play stations for all children.”

All of the toys within The Magic Garden are wooden and available to buy in the shop.

It’s on Bearwood Road, right opposite Greggs.

Romany came up with the idea when her children were little and, not driving, she went to local stay and play groups.

“I found that all the role play centres seemed to be very far afield and there were hundreds of mums taking their kids to stay and play groups locally so I thought it would be a good idea,” said Romany, whose children are Noah, three, and Gulliver, one.

“The reaction from other parents has been great so far. It seems people are really excited about it.”

The Magic Garden is open Mondays to Saturdays. Sessions cost £4.50 for toddlers and £3 for babies with a 25 per cent discount for additional children.

There’s free filter coffee for parents.