YOUNGSTERS in Crudwell have been taking a hands-on approach to learning about nature while tidying up their new-look play area.

Thanks to investment and support from the community, Crudwell Pre-School have been able to revitalise their garden and play area, with new plants and interactive ways to learn.

Residents Philip Ward and Bernie Tidmarsh made generous donations to the restoration project and maintenance services have been provided by local firm Dirty Boots.

Cathy Harris, manager at the pre-school, has involved the children in the restoration, getting them to help work on the plants, learning about nature in the process.

“We’ve tried to make it so that they can actually experience the garden,” she said.

“They’ve been involved in choosing things they can eat. They’ve grown lettuce plants, had a go at washing them and tried eating them.

“We like to let them experience the growing of food, seeing it start from seed and then enjoying it afterwards.

“We also do stories based on planting, like Jack and the Beanstalk, and we’re growing a beanstalk, just to make it interactive.”

The pre-school, which has been rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted – a rare feat for a ‘pack-away’ pre-school – is having an open day on Friday, June 17 from 10am-2pm.