SPRING has well and truly sprung at Stanton Drew and Pensford Preschool in Norton Malreward as a new garden for the children has been unveiled.

Parents managed to build a beautiful garden for the children to enjoy at the pre-school with the kind permission of the YDA Village Hall committee and financial support from local businesses and charities.

The committee installed brand new paving, with the pre-school parents adding areas of play bark and gravel, as well as handmade wooden planters and a personalised wooden bench.

Parents and local businesses came together to transform the garden with permission of the YDA Village Hall.
Parents and local businesses came together to transform the garden with permission of the YDA Village Hall. (Stanton Drew and Pensford Preschool)

Parents Scott Aitchison, Matt Lane from Lane Brothers Construction, and Tom Kington from Bryson Scaffolding Limited worked together to transform the space into an exciting place for children to play.

Local garden centre Otter gave a financial donation and free pots and plants while Dandos in Chew Magna and Fountain Timber in Brockley Combe supported the build with cost price materials. Local bereavement charity ‘Ami’s Gift’ provided funded as part of its mission to support mental health and wellbeing for children.

Pre-school leader Lynne Vivian is over the moon about the changes that have been achieved. She said: “I’m delighted that we’re able to offer the children such an amazing enhanced outdoor provision.”

The garden area has been transformed to include new paving, wooden planters and a personalised bench and outdoor play area.
The garden area has been transformed to include new paving, wooden planters and a personalised bench and outdoor play area. (Stanton Drew and Pensford Preschool)

Earlier this year the pre-school also won a grant of £1,000 from Bristol Airport to upgrade its forest club and outdoor resources.

Sue Cowley, chair of the preschool committee, said: “Playing outdoors offers huge benefits for learning and wellbeing in the early years. We’re delighted to be able to extend what we can offer to our children, with the help of local parents and businesses.”

The pre-school is an early years charity, managed by parents and volunteers, which has been operating in the Valley for over 50 years, and offers funded and fee-paying places for two to four year-olds.