Chichester Nursery school has been supporting and developing local children since the 1940’s so it was lovely to spend some time there last week. I didn’t attend a nursery as there wasn’t enough places where I grew up at that time but I’m pretty sure they were nothing like this one in my day. The children have loads of space to explore, moving around an incredible number of stimulating activities. It was lovely to see them dressing up, getting muddy and covered in paint. Inside there was a maths area, a reading area, musical instruments, science toys, dressing up, cooking and washing up, painting and all sorts of crafts. My favourite was watching a little three-year-old girl, complete with eye goggles, sawing a piece of wood very carefully to make a wooden toy. The best advert for developing girls interest in STEM subjects you can get! It was like going into every friends’ house all at once and more……an Aladdin’s cave of things to do and not a computer screen in sight. Outside children were playing in the mud kitchen, climbing on a frame and cycling and running around. As well as providing a safe environment for children to explore there are qualified teachers on hand to make sure every game or fun activity also includes learning.
More and more children are attending nursery schools now since the Government introduced up to 30 hours free child care for three and four-year olds. Children develop so quickly in the early years and the teachers at Chichester nursery do a great job to make sure they give local children the best start in life and get them ready to embrace education. This amazing nursery is one of four maintained nurseries in the County supported by West Sussex County Council.
The importance of developing a child’s social skills and creativity are key and the staff at Chichester Nursery have built a wonderful environment to help children develop. Creative play that helps children develop basic maths and science skills that help with problem solving and concentration. This that will benefit the children their whole life, all whilst running around playing with lots of friends.