There was excitement for young nature enthusiasts at Cedar Park Day Nursery in Twyford as they unveiled a brand new garden pond, stemming from their fascination with frogs.
The idea came directly from a group of children at the Bridge Farm Road setting, who asked whether they could have their very own pond in the garden to attract wildlife and provide further opportunities to explore nature, having been inspired during co-research sessions.
Their request was soon brought to life by the dedicated nursery team, with the completed pond officially unveiled during a special grand opening attended by a local Parish Councillor, who was invited to cut the ribbon and mark the occasion alongside children and colleagues.
The opening is just the beginning of the project, with the children now embarking on a year-long investigation to observe how the pond develops through the changing seasons, recording the different plants, insects and wildlife that make it their home. They have also been tasked with the important job of choosing a name for their newest garden feature.
Projects such as this form part of Cedar Park’s ongoing commitment to environmental education and giving children meaningful opportunities to learn about and care for the world around them. It is for these efforts that the nursery has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag with Distinction, the highest accolade in the international Eco-Schools programme.
Cedar Park Day Nursery Manager, Rachael Main explained;
“We are always looking for ways to follow the children’s interests and turn their curiosity into meaningful learning experiences, so it has been wonderful to see their idea for a pond become a reality. The children are incredibly excited to watch it change and develop over the coming year, and we hope it will encourage lots of new wildlife into our garden. Giving children opportunities to connect with nature and understand the importance of looking after it is something we are passionate about, so this project perfectly reflects that.”
