Spring Garden Activities at Bright Horizons

Children at Bright Horizons nurseries have been embracing spring with a variety of garden based activities. Many of these activities formed part of Bright Horizons' Growing Gardeners programme, which aims to provide children with opportunities to interact with the natural world around them.

Harwell Day Nursery and Preschool

Children at Bright Horizons Harwell Day Nursery and Preschool have been exploring the garden having found blossoms that had fallen off one of the trees.

The children talked about the colours of the blossoms and placed them into a bucket to create a smell similar to perfume. The activity was part of Bright Horizons’ Growing Gardeners programme which aims to give children the opportunity to interact with the natural world around them.

“They really enjoyed this activity so the staff are going to extend it at a later date by giving the children more choice of materials, when more flowers have bloomed, and also an assortment of bottles so that they can take their perfumes home,” said Nursery Manager Alison Dwight.

Alongside this, the children planted their own carrot seeds.

“They talked about what the seeds needs in order to grow,” said Alison. “They will be regularly observing the seeds in the coming weeks to monitor the changes.”

Bromley Day Nursery and Preschool

Children at Bright Horizons Bromley Day Nursery and Preschool recently became pirates for the day and took part in a range of themed activities. 

The children practiced their balancing skills by ‘walking the plank’ in the nursing garden, whilst learning how to put their arms out to help with their balance.

“They created their own pirate hats and their own pirate telescopes to look for treasure,” said Jay Emirhan-Kantar. “The children were curious to talk about their treasure and were introduced to new vocabulary such as ‘bronze’ and ‘gold’.”

Lancaster Day Nursery and Preschool

Children at Bright Horizons Lancaster Day Nursery and Preschool have been making the most of the sunny spring weather by exploring the nursery garden. The children picked flowers and explored their petals, then went on to collect a range of leaves and twigs to make a sensory bag. They also spoke about the formation of the clouds in the sky.

“It was wonderful to see them playing and sharing together, they really enjoyed mixing and making,” said Nursery Manager Sally Thornton. “Becoming aware of and enjoying the natural environment creates a sense of belonging and wellness.”

Toyota Bumpers Day Nursery and Preschool

Children at Bright Horizons Toyota Bumpers Day Nursery and Preschool in Burnaston, Derbyshire recently planted their own sunflowers.

“The children pushed the seeds into the soil and used the watering can to water them, with help from staff,” said Nursery Manager Jane Ganley. “We will watch the sunflowers grow over the next few weeks.”