Penzance Nursery Boosts Community Collaboration
Bolitho Nursery in Penzance has announced a series of new projects for 2018 designed to strengthen relationships between young families and the local community.
The nursery on Polwithen Road is now working with a nearby farm, an outdoor education scheme and a dance studio to help children and their parents connect with local health and wellbeing initiatives.
Nursery Manager Sam Curnow explained: “It is important to us to support local businesses, and also to open up new experiences for the children we care for. We hope these projects will create deep and lasting connections with the community, and instil a healthy outlook on life.”
In line with this thinking, the government’s free milk scheme for nursery children will be fulfilled using milk from Trink Dairy – a farm just outside St Ives.
At Trink, the Knowles family produce milk from grass-fed Friesian and Jersey cows; due to the way the cows are fed and cared for they produce milk rich in Omega-3 fats and vitamin E – this helps to boost immune systems, a clear benefit for children of nursery age.
Sam said: “We are really pleased to be working with Trink and are using the connection as a way of talking to our children about where our food comes from, and the importance of maintaining a healthy diet.”
Food also plays a part in the nursery’s new partnership with Great Scott Adventures, outdoor learning sessions provided by conservation and ecology expert, Claire Gilbert Scott.
Following a successful pilot scheme last year, Pre-School children can now be signed up to these sessions where they enjoy activities including outdoor cooking, crafts and generally exploring the natural world.
Meanwhile, for those less willing to venture outdoors, Savvy Studios of Hayle will be offering baby ballet sessions in which Early Threes and Pre-School children will be encouraged to enjoy movement and music.
Sam explained: “All of these different collaborative projects are linked to the same themes – creating positive early relationships with our local environment and nurturing healthy bodies and minds. In some children, perhaps we will spark a life-long love of nature, or ballet – we hope so!”
A small additional cost applies to the outdoor learning sessions and baby ballet classes, however there is a discount for parents of pupils receiving the Early Years Pupils Premium.
The nursery also has a community space available for hire – groups looking to host yoga, music or other sessions are invited to get in touch.