PRE-SCHOOLERS in Droitwich can now make the most of a new £80,000 purpose-built lodge designed to help them make the most of the natural world.
Children at Phoenix Childcare Day Nursery, on the Gaudet Luce Golf Club complex, in Hadzor, have moved into the woodland building The Lodge.
The new centre, which has also created three new nursery jobs, is an addition to the Phoenix’s existing building with the aim of helping the youngsters to build their confidence and learn about nature.
The cabin will also be available for hire on weekends for parties and plans have been made to start a holiday clubs for youngsters while they are on break.
The new building, which is built from sustainable farmed wood, offers a variety of outdoor and environmentally-based lessons designed to boost the children’s knowledge and develop their social skills.
Up to 20 children will be able to use The Lodge which will offer care for under 14s from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
Youngsters will be able to take part in activities such as junk modelling, cooking, music and movement, letters and sounds and sand and water play.
The children will even be given the opportunity to learn how to play golf on the neighbouring course, with PGA professional Russell Adams, so they can work on their co-ordination.
The little ones will also be able to try their hands at growing vegetables and flowers and take part in creative literacy and numeracy activities.
Owner Jenny Fernihough said the building would play a key role in helping the town’s children to grow and would enhance their learning as part of the foundation stage curriculum, helping them prepare for primary school.
She added: “We are delighted with the response from parents to the new lodge and how it’s allowing their children to take part in activities with a difference.
“Last year we celebrated five years of our Nature School benefiting over 250 local children.
“But the new lodge allows us to take the children’s education to a different level as it provides a new rural learning facility.
“It lets our three and four year-olds investigate nature and work together to learn about the environment.
“They’ll be able to work independently and as a team – essential social skills that will stand them in good stead as they prepare for primary school.”
