Children’s Christmas cheer as new garden opens

>December Events / charities / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / Health & Wellbeing December 20, 2013

Children in Thetford have been celebrating alongside a special festive visitor following completion of a project to transform a muddy patch of wasteland into a natural outdoor oasis.

The new-look garden at Tree Tops Day Nursery, in Kingsway, which is run by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C), was officially opened this afternoon (December 19) during a celebration event organised by staff.

All of the children who use the nursery – who are aged between two and five – were invited to the celebration with their parents. During the afternoon, Father Christmas officially opened the new £10,000 garden before handing out presents and reading stories.

The garden, which has been jointly funded by NCH&C and Norfolk County Council, has seen an uneven piece of ground transformed into a natural play area for the children to enjoy. Over the past three weeks, large amounts of topsoil have been removed, the surface levelled and decking, artificial grass and bark areas all added.

Local company Roots and Routes, which completed the transformation, has also donated a sandpit for the children to use.

Nursery Manager Rachel Sandells said: “We have been planning the garden for some time, so were delighted when the work was finished and really excited to unveil it to the children and their families. We are very grateful for the funding we received to make it a reality and our thanks go to everyone who has supported the project.

“The garden is really important as it gives our children the chance to take part in activities and play with their friends whenever they like. It will be kept completely natural and will really complement our other outside spaces, such as the play area.

“We were delighted to be able to mark its opening with a festive celebration, which included a performance of Christmas songs by the children and a visit from Santa. Everyone dressed in their Christmas jumpers and enjoyed hot chocolate and mince pies, which gave the afternoon a really nice atmosphere.’

“As well as giving families the chance to socialise with others who use the nursery, we also used the afternoon as an opportunity for parents to talk to the staff members working with their children, find out more about their progress and read through some of their learning stories.

“It was really well received by everyone who came, with the families all going home with a smile on their faces.”