Lime Grove Day Nursery celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week

There were learning opportunities at every turn for children at Lime Grove Day Nursery in Hemel Hempstead as they took part in activities for National Children’s Gardening Week.

After discussing the importance of bees and other pollinating insects to the planet, pre-schoolers from the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Park Road planted a range of native and pollinator plants in their garden to attract wildlife and bugs, including lavender, basil, rosemary, thyme, violas and wildflower seeds, in line with their Eco-Schools project.

During the experience, children used their fine motor skills to dig into the soil with their very own tools and bury the seeds, as well as using their senses to take in the aromas of the different herbs and counting the insects that they saw on the ground and in the mud.

As part of the celebrations, the group created a total of three bug hotels around their new planting areas and learnt why this would benefit the ecosystem, as well as reading themed books including their Childbase Partnership written storybook, ‘Harry and the Bug Hotel’.

It is for such activities that Lime Grove have earnt a prestigious ‘Green Flag’ award with Distinction, the highest accolade in the internationally recognised Eco-Schools programme, which is awarded for exceptional environmental awareness and conservation practices, through activities including growing vegetables and crafting with natural materials.

The nursery are also proud holders of the RHS School Gardening Award at Level 2, and are currently working towards Level 3 with initiatives around composting and practical skills.

Lime Grove Day Nursery Deputy Manager, Yasmin Diver explained;

“National Children’s Gardening Week has provided some lovely opportunities to build on our eco skills and knowledge and we can’t wait to see which insects our new flowers and bug hotels attract. Our children are so enthusiastic about our eco-curriculum and are really passionate about making a positive difference, which is incredible and hugely inspiring.”