From jungle to classroom

The garden at Highway Day Nursery in Eyemouth was 'a complete jungle', says nursery owner Cheryl Duggan. The nursery is in a former knitwear factory, now owned by the Highway Christian Fellowship church, of which Cheryl's husband is pastor. The church uses the premises on Sundays; the rest of the time it is used for the 36-place nursery. 'With help from church members, we have transformed the jungle into a well-maintained, interesting and imaginative facility for the children,' says Cheryl. She was inspired after attending a workshop by Learning Through Landscapes. In discussion with her staff, and by observing the children, she noted popular outdoor activities and thought how they could be enhanced. The nursery garden now includes a large wall displaying letters of the alphabet, which the children can 'paint' over using water. The children are encouraged to recognise the letters in their own names and the objects in the garden, Cheryl explains. They can ride bikes along paving slabs with painted arrows and 'keep left' and 'stop' signs. Cheryl says, 'This activity can be extended by introducing traffic lights or role play with police or a lollipop man/lady, and it is useful in learning to follow instructions, play co-operatively, recognise familiar signs and connect the written and spoken word.'