A Plymouth nursery is to be transformed into a “rainforest garden” following a £300,000 investment.
The Pixieland nursery in the Stoke area of the city will see two new facilities installed in April 2021, the other being an indoor play zone.
Management said it would enhance the experience of every child passing through its doors, further promoting learning through play.
The nursery’s existing garden is being transformed into an “Amazon rain forest adventure garden” where “little imaginations will run wild”. It will include trees, canopies, climbing areas, a sandpit and even a “pirate ship complete with hidden treasure”.
Also featuring a fully-lit and heated hut, it will guarantee outdoor learning all through the year, come rain or shine. Children will benefit from hands-on experience growing vegetables and herbs, and experience the magic of nature in a safe environment.
The garden will boast a huge play barn with climbing equipment and a full soft-play facility. The barn will also house a kitchen and toilets, and will also be available to book for children’s birthday parties at evenings and weekends.
Caroline Francis, managing director of the Pixieland group, said: “At Pixieland we know that children learn best when they do it through play. When you add nature into the mix, incredible things can happen.
“The outdoor garden and indoor play zone will enhance the children’s day-to-day experience and start teaching them valuable skills for life, such as gardening.
"Crucially, it will help to set their imaginations free and build mental health resilience – and given the past year we’ve all had, that’s never been more important.”
The building project nearly finished and expected to be complete by the beginning of April. It has already led to an increase in applications from parents.
Pixieland (Stoke Village) Ltd received a “good” rating from Oftsted after its 2018 inspection. The report praised the manager and staff for being committed to providing high-quality provision for children and families.
Documents filed at Companies House showed Pixieland (Stoke Village) Ltd, which was incorporated in 2000, had net assets of £834,696 in 2019.
Pixieland’s Stoke branch runs breakfast and after-school clubs, collecting children from nearby schools to support busy working parents. Its successful programme of holiday clubs provides backup outside of term time. Pixieland Stoke is fortunate enough to be located next door to an Eco Park, to which the nursery has full access.
Pixieland also has a Plymouth nurery in Mannamead, which received a “good” Ofsted rating in its 2017 inspection. There is also a Pixiland nursery in Saltash, Cornwall.
