Start of new adventure on the farm as it begins work on nursery and pre-school
NATIONAL FOREST ATTRACTION WILL OFFER ‘UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCE’
A NEW day nursery and pre-school is to be unveiled at a major rural East Staffordshire tourist attraction offering children a “unique experience and nature-based play”.
Work has already begun on the new Adventure Farm Day Nursery and Pre-school, which will open this autumn at the National Forest Adventure Farm, in Tatenhill, just outside Burton.
Run in conjunction with award-winning nature-based play childcare provider Kids Play, it will offer places for children aged from six weeks to five years, including fully funded 30 hours’ free childcare places.
It will create up to 20 new jobs in the next three years, with recruitment starting in May for roles including nursery manager, deputy manager, classroom leaders and early years practitioners.
Tom Robinson, who owns the National Forest Adventure Farm with brother Ivor, said: “As a farm attraction, we’re passionate about bringing families together to enjoy the countryside and rural life around them.
“Over the last 20 years since diversifying the farm, we’ve pushed ourselves to bring innovative and new ways for families to enjoy nature and outdoor play.
“The Adventure Farm Day Nursery and Pre-school is just an extension of that vision and allows us to bring an immersive learning environment to young people which champions the great outdoors and helps children to appreciate, learn and enjoy the countryside around them.”
The Adventure Farm Day Nursery and Pre-school will be based at the entrance to the farm attraction, which is set in 40 acres of open countryside.
Children will enjoy daily supervised visits to the farm, providing the chance to learn about feeding and caring for animals, as well as growing produce in different seasons and the importance of health and safety and managing risk.
The facility will also have a “sustainable and environmental” focus, with a “key emphasis on natural resources”.
The setting will offer four childcare rooms - babies, pre-toddlers, toddlers and pre-school.
Each will offer access to their own private outdoor garden area and daily visits to the farm.
Kelly Garrett, regional director of Kids Play Childcare, said: “We’re delighted to be starting this joint venture with the team at National Forest Adventure Farm.
“We felt like this was a great opportunity to put Kids Play’s core values of nature-based play into practice.
“Children will be able to handle animals, tend gardens and learn the value of growing and eating their own produce, as well as exploring.
“These unique learning opportunities provide local children with the very best start in education.”
Towards the end of the build, there will be an opportunity for parents to visit the nursery to look round.
No date has been set for the opening, but it is anticipated it will open later this year.
It allows us to champion the great outdoors and helps children to appreciate, learn and enjoy the countryside Tom Robinson