Welsh Government grant helps local nursery give children an outdoor experience
A VALE nursery believes it learned a valuable lesson during the Covid pandemic – that children are happier outdoors.
As a result, St Donats Nursery, in the grounds of Atlantic College, which was an indoor nursery before Covid, is now set up for outdoor play. The nursery is enclosed by trees and bushes which secure, in manager Donna Pearce’s words, “a sanctuary, so that the children can play, investigate and explore”.
Donna said that the outdoors brought out more laughter, better behaviour, more working together and an overall healthier community in terms of health and wellbeing.
She said that the Vale Council had helped secure a grant from the Welsh Government’s Early Years and Childcare Capital Fund, which was used to buy two yurts, which form play areas for the children and have been registered with Care Inspectorate Wales for this purpose.
Donna added: “The children have settled in extremely well and every day brings new adventures, genuine contentment, laughter and of course great memories.”
The nursery recently held an open day which was attended by members of the local community and childcare professionals.
Vale MP Alun Cairns said: “The whole approach to embrace the outdoors in this way is a breath of fresh air and a mile away from electronic gadgets.”
The Vale Council’s Strategic Childcare and Early Years Manager, Debbie Maule, said: “The council was delighted to be able to support St Donats Nursery with funding towards two Yurts as part of the Welsh Government’s grant programme. Early Years and childcare officers were pleased to attend the open day which showcased a unique outdoor nature childcare provision.”
For more information, visit www.stdonatsnurserywales.com, or email Donna to arrange a viewing at
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