Children at a Derbyshire pre-school have a new opportunity to explore their senses from the toes up thanks to a sensory garden installed with a generous donation from a local science company.
Children at Milford Pre-School near Belper have a fantastic new sensory garden to play in which has been made possible thanks to a donation from science company Lubrizol, through its charities and communities committee.
The garden includes a variety of sensory plants with spiky and soft leaves for young hands to feel; plants that have a range of different scents; cymbals and chimes that will make a sound when it rains, and a barefoot walk featuring pebbles, stones, sand, bark and astroturf for little feet to explore.
Pre-school manager Amy Davies said: “Sometimes children really appreciate the chance to take themselves away and this sensory garden provides a great opportunity for something different in our outdoor environment.
“As a charity-run pre-school we do a lot of fundraising. Any money that’s raised through the fundraising gets put into the children’s learning. To be able to have this lump sum of money and make this sensory area is amazing. We’re also very grateful to Hudsons Plant Centre of Duffield which gave us a great deal on the plants we have used.
“With this garden we are encouraging the children to take care of the environment as well, and to understand the world, which is part of our curriculum too.”
Claire Hollingshurst, from Lubrizol’s charities and communities committee which made the donation to pay for the sensory garden, said: “We’re delighted to have enabled the creation of this sensory garden. It certainly looks as though these children are enjoying their new space! As a science company we are always keen to stimulate young curious minds and giving children the chance to explore their senses outside at such a young age will be very valuable to them. We are also very keen to support our local environment so we’re very pleased our donation has been put to such great use.”
Milford Pre-School is set in an old mill school dating back to the early nineteenth century. It has 23 children on roll and youngsters also get the chance to visit local woodland. Spaces are available.
This story was written and shared on behalf of Lubrizol by Lucy Stephens. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch.
