Oak Tree Day nursery at Bath Spa University is celebrating its 20th birthday, and to mark the occasion the nursery held a party for children and their parents, attended by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christina Slade.
Oak Tree Day nursery is based at the University’s Newton Park campus on the outskirts of Bath.
This stunning rural location means children at the nursery benefit from Forest School, an inspirational process that gives children a hands-on learning experience in a woodland or natural environment.
The children are often out and about exploring and learning in the campus parkland and the nursery is currently expanding its forest school provision.
Speaking about the nursery’s 20 years, Nursery Manager Kerry Edwards said: “We are a small nursery, only taking 27 children per day, which means we really get to know the children and their families well.
“Some families are part of the nursery for a number of years if all their children attend before they start school and many keep in touch with us long afterwards.
“Being based at Newton Park is wonderful for the children as they get to explore the beautiful campus and experience the wildlife.”
The nursery welcomes children aged six months until school age and currently has spaces available.
Staff regularly attend training and development sessions to ensure they are up to date with current childcare practices.
Charlotte Dunger whose two daughters attend the nursery said: “Oak Tree Day Nursery has a vibrant, and happy, welcoming atmosphere.
“My two daughters both really love attending and spending time with their friends and the staff there. Both of the girls started at the same time in February this year.
“They settled really quickly and this was due to the effort staff put into getting to know the children and talking to the parents.
“There is a great team of staff who are always willing to answer your questions. I feel 100 per cent confident leaving my daughters and knowing they are in a safe, stimulating and most of all, fun environment.”
As part of the birthday celebrations the nursery is also supporting the Samaritans Purse Christmas Child Appeal by donating shoeboxes filled with essential items and toys.
The project is helping the children understand that there are some children in the world who are not as fortunate as them and may not receive gifts at Christmas time.