Cornwall-based Naturally Learning will be running Nansledan’s new nursery school from September, offering children the chance to connect with nature and explore the great outdoors.
Naturally Learning already runs five successful childcare settings across Cornwall, where youngsters regularly take part in forest school and beach sessions, as well as sensory experiences, art projects and immersive interaction with the natural world.
The family-run company now has a new home in the purpose-built nursery building (below, centre) currently under construction in Nansledan.
This latest Naturally Learning site will offer around 60 children the chance to enjoy plenty of indoor and outdoor space.
Senior manager Sarah Hood said she was looking forward to welcoming pre-school children and their families to the new site when the building officially opens in September.
“We are really, really excited,” said Sarah. “We’ve been lucky enough to be part of the building’s design process from the beginning, so we’ve been able to create somewhere that fits with our needs.”
Naturally Learning, run by Sarah, her partner Tom Richardson, who is a director and his mother, Mandy, who is the owner, takes a holistic approach to childcare, nurturing youngsters’ ‘mind, body and soul’ through child-led nature-based experiences and outdoor learning.
When the children are inside, they will be able to access beautifully designed play spaces for project-based learning, mealtimes and rest.
Outside, the nursery will benefit from Nansledan’s easily accessible play areas and green spaces, including Pras Trewolek’s wildflower meadows, Newquay Community Orchard and community allotments, and of course Newquay’s local beaches.
Registrations are being taken but there is already a waiting list for spaces at the nursery, which will take babies and children aged up to five-years-old.
Sarah said there was a strong demand for a setting like this in the Newquay area – and Nansledan was the perfect fit.
“My partner and I live in Newquay so we’ve been watching Nansledan being built and we absolutely love it,” said Sarah. “Our ethos really fits with the lifestyle of the families in the area,” she added.
Sarah and Tom are currently running through the final details before they pick up the keys to their new building and start preparing for the new intake in September.
Work on the interior is already well underway, with an emphasis on a neutral and naturally-inspired colour scheme to allow the children to ‘bring the brightness’.
“We went to have a look around inside last week and it was just brilliant,” said Sarah. “We feel so proud to have been chosen to be part of Nansledan. It’s a great honour and we can’t wait to welcome families through our doors soon.”
Ben Murphy, Estate Director at the Duchy of Cornwall, said: “We’re delighted that Sarah and Tom at Naturally Learning will soon be taking on the new nursery school. We have been planning the design with them for some time now as their outdoor learning approach perfectly complements what we are trying to achieve with Nansledan’s green and natural spaces, and will be a huge asset to the community.”
Naturally Learning was established 10 years ago and has settings in Truro (Forest School and Treyew Road), St Austell (Poltair and Charlestown) and Falmouth.
To find out more, see naturallylearning.co.uk
