The Learning Tree Day Nursery benefits from a Welsh Government Capital Grant

The Learning Tree Day Nursery, which provides dedicated childcare to more than 50 children in Cardiff City Centre, has opened its newly landscaped garden. It is the first nursery in Wales to be awarded a grant for such work.

The Government Capital Grant was approved at the end of 2019 to enable the children to enjoy being outdoors in a safe environment, where they can learn new skills, help plants grow and even plant their own fruit and vegetables.

Penarth and Wenvoe based company, Eden Landscapes, undertook the refurbishment project, their team having gained a reputation for providing high quality services in Cardiff and The Vale.

Although the work started in March, it had to be halted due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, the garden was completed in June, just in time for the nursery’s re-opening and to welcome the children back.

Founder of The Learning Tree, Chris Baker said “The garden now has a mixture of real grass and artificial grass areas to allow different textural experiences. It gives us all year round use when combined with our separate covered outdoor area.  We also have a dedicated area for the very youngest children and babies to explore the outdoors safely.  We are now able to implement the Foundation Phase of learning outdoors to the full extent, just as we do inside the nursery, giving our children the best opportunity to play, learn and truly thrive whilst at The Learning Tree.”

He concluded “Having full access to such a large and superb area has been invaluable when implementing our ‘Bubble System’ to keep our children, staff and their families safe. We are delighted with the new garden at a time when an emphasis on outdoor play and learning is more important than ever.  We are very grateful to Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government for this support and cannot thank Jamie and his team at Eden Landscapes enough for the wonderful space they have created!”

Jamie Bloomfield, Director of Eden Landscapes added “It was a pleasure to transform this tired space into a place where the kids can flourish. We took Chris’ ideas and with our practical input and the hard work of our employees, John and Josh, together we’ve produced a garden that the kids can enjoy for years to come. It’s a great initiative that the Welsh Government are providing with grants for the development of these outdoor spaces.”

Children, parents and staff have been absolutely thrilled with the work done and the areas of play and learning now available.

A parent of a child who attends the nursery has said “My daughter absolutely loves playing outside and I think it’s important for her to have as much fresh air through the day as possible. The new garden space is definitely a hit with us and to find a nursery with such a big outdoor space is such a bonus. My daughter has really enjoyed planting seeds and watering them. She has definitely enjoyed lots of outdoor activities which I’m sure will continue now the new garden is so much more user friendly.”