Nursery introduces children to real tools

Adur East Lions were out in force last week to see the results of their recent donation to Fishersgate Nursery.
Adur East Lions members visit Fishersgate Nursery to see how children are using the equipment bought with funds they providedAdur East Lions members visit Fishersgate Nursery to see how children are using the equipment bought with funds they provided
Adur East Lions members visit Fishersgate Nursery to see how children are using the equipment bought with funds they provided

With the funds provided, nursery manager Mandy Austin bought a large, fully-functional, wooden workbench, a wooden trolley and wooden building blocks.

Before purchasing the items, Mandy contacted all parents and carers to inform them about the risks involved in the children using real tools and how the nursery staff would mitigate against them. All parents agreed to the purchase.

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Mandy said: “It’s all about the children having new experiences, learning new skills and understanding the safety aspects of using the tools.

“The blocks are not just used for construction but also creatively with other resources and the trolley has added substantially to the children’s independence as they are able to transport the items they want to play with to whatever part of the nursery they want, whether inside or out.”

Mandy has more than 30 years of experience in child care and strongly believes in developing children’s independence and giving them choices, learning through play.

Fishersgate Nursery has a higher than average staff to child ratio and all staff are qualified. There is a well-used outside area and the nursery is hoping to develop a further wooded area for the children’s exploration.

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Fishersgate Nursery has places available for children age two-plus from September.

Lion president Rose Carter said: “It has given me great pleasure to make my first presentation as president of Adur East Lions, to support the learning of children at Fishersgate Nursery.

“This donation will help Mandy and her team continue to develop their great work for the families of this community.”

Visit www.adureastlions.org or the club’s Facebook page for more information about the Lions’ activities.

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