The Forest Nursery

Dear readers,

I hope this post finds you well. I have been quite busy at the moment so Evergreen Hollow hasn’t quite been its hive of activity. I’ve set up one of my existing houses for another family but I’ve decided it needs some touch ups. As soon as that’s done that will be my next blog post. 

Without any more chit chat, here is my post for today!

Not far from the town centre lies a small building amongst the evergreen trees. It’s surroundings are full of outdoor play equipment and flowerbeds. This little place is called the forest nursery where the villagers send their youngest children to play and prepare for school.

Outside there are lots of things to do. There is a seesaw.

Lots of flowerbeds that the children maintain with the teachers.

And a large white climbing frame that has doors for the children to pretend that it’s a house. 

There is even an indoor slide for the children when the weather is adverse. 

The teachers of the Nursery are Lucy Fenton and her close friend Esther Brightfield. They trained together many years ago and opened up the nursery recently. They have an avid love of early years education and believe that the best learning comes from the children being outside and having fun.

Before the children arrive the friends set up their nursery according to the learning they will do. 

Lucy arranges the cosy area by the slide. This is the reading corner where the children can enjoy the books they have at nursery.

On the craft and writing table Esther sets up the crayons to invite the children to draw.

Today they also have an outdoor kitchen. Esther sets up some plastic cups and plates.

On the other side Lucy is setting up their plant investigation area. This term the children are learning all about plants and how to care for them. She brought some plants for the children to investigate as well as all of the gardening tolls to plant in the flowerbed. 

And just like that, the first few children are arriving. 

Always the first to arrive is Caroline with her son Toby and her friend Daniela with her two sons. Their names are Pino and Carlo. 

Pino is not a fan of leaving his mother though.

Toby, on the other hand, really wants to show his mother the flowers he planted. To do this, he has pulled up the flower to the horror of his mother. 

Next to arrive is a new family to the village. Claus is dropping off his three children. Their names are Chirpy, Dana and Nina. Claus greets Lucy before heading to the post office. It’s been getting so busy that Claus has been hired as the assistant postman (a stroke of genius it was by Paul to hire a bird to help with deliveries).

Next is Simon Sandy with his son Scott. 

Which was followed by a yell from behind Simon.

“My babies!!!” Cried Lolly Checkers. Dan Checkers gently comforted his wife. The Checkers are new to the village and it seems the children have adjusted well to coming to nursery. It’s their mother that is struggling. 

Nico and Lenny don’t even turn back, they walk straight to Lucy with grin of delight. They love being at nursery (they like playing in the mud).

And going down the slide.

“See Lolly, you don’t need to cry every time” Dan pointed to their son Lenny. “They love us but they also love nursery, and that’s a good thing.” Lolly wiped away a tear from her eyes before looking at her husband. “Maybe they can only go to nursery 2 days a week, I think I just miss them at home” she sighed. Dan nodded before leading her away. “Let’s go get a sweet treat”. Dan always knew how to get his wife on side.

After that Francesca arrived with her three youngest children. 

Then there was Agatha and Georgina dropping off their children.

Howard has a new bag for his nursery snack.

Chirpy and Nina were enjoying playing a restaurant game!

Ray Furbanks has been dropped off as well. He fancies ‘ordering’ some of the restaurants ‘food’ (mud must likely). 

Little Teddy loves climbing on the frame!

Lenny has found so many things to play with!

Carlo and Chirpy are looking after the flower bed.

Inside, Emily is colouring in her picture. Some children take some time inside to explore.

Children are encouraged to look after their belongings. Howard is hanging up his bag. He is rather precious about his snacks (he loves the peanut butter cookies his mother packs for him).

Aria is playing with some alphabet blocks.

The nursery is fully stocked with fresh bottles for snack time. 

Elio is first down the slide!

I really enjoyed setting up the nursery and experimenting with the lighting. I really enjoy creating ‘unique’ things for my village and using sets in a way that I haven’t seen before. I especially love all of their outdoor provision like the spades and little restaurant. 

I hope you enjoyed it too!

Best wishes, 

Helly