Exactly one year on since welcoming its very first cohort of children, families and colleagues from Hampstead Gate Day Nursery in Milton Keynes were delighted as local Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Khan officially opened the setting in a special ceremony.

Having been postponed due to ongoing Covid restrictions, the long-awaited celebrations saw the Mayor unveil a commemorative plaque and cut a bespoke cake at the 97 place setting on Eelbrook Avenue, which is part of the employee-owned Childbase Partnership with 45 day nurseries in the South of England, following a visit in the summer to plant a tree.

Complete with imaginative play and learning spaces, state of the art equipment and immersive role play areas, the Mayor praised the resources on offer to children aged between six weeks and five years, as well as the eco-friendly practices which have resulted in Hampstead Gate earning a prestigious ‘Green Flag’ award from Eco-Schools.

From babies using recycled paper from the shredder for sensory activities, to older children creating bug hotels for insect observations and growing vegetables in the garden which are then used in meals by talented Nursery Chefs, children of all ages take part in a curriculum of eco-activities the whole year round whilst learning key educational messages.

Hampstead Gate Day Nursery Manager, Elkie Taylor, who has over 20 years’ experience in the Early Years sector and previously managed another Childbase setting, explained;