Walton Pre-School

Pre-School Allotment

Introducing - VEGGIES & BLOOMS @ PRE SCHOOL

We are thrilled to announce that we have been given a piece of land next to the Pre School gardens which we intent to turn into a new allotment area where children can grow more fruits and vegetables. This will provide invaluable learning opportunities for the children..

The project will be staged.

Stage 1

Clear the rubbish, brambles, dead plants, dead trees and cut the grass - we have started already and hope that you can see the difference.

Stage 2

Create growing areas with raised beds as well as seating areas.

Stage 3

Start planting as well as purchasing some plants / fruit bushes/canes.

Stage 4

Watch the produce grow!

And after 24 hours, look at the difference we have already made!

The children are really embracing having their new Veggies & Blooms allotment area, with children asking excitedly if they are going to plant things today.

So far the children have planted:-

Strawberry plants

Rhubarb

Lettuce

Carrots

Spring onions

Raddish

Beetroot

Tomatoes

Potatoes

Courgettes

Cabbage

Sweet corn

We have also planted sweet peas, sunflowers and other flowers to add colour and attract the bees and butterflies.

We are very grateful to the members of the community who have donated plants.

All this has become possible with thanks to a donation from the Royal British Legion (Walton Branch) with the money we have carefully chosen items to support this new venture and to enhance the educational and emotional aspect gardening can offer.

We have purchased so far

Planters

Raised beds

Bird Table

Hedgehog house

Wind / weather vane

Plants / soil

Mini greenhouse

Propagator tunnels

Growing boards

Bird feeders

Gardening provides a wealth of benefits for children, these include

Physical activity.

Responsibility and independence.

Self-confidence.

Teamwork and communication.

Literacy, numeracy and biology.

It also creates a calming environment for children which enhances their learning experiences, sparks joy and arouses curiosity. It is good for our wellbeing because we release serotonin and cortisol, our feel-good hormones.

We are so very proud of the care and attention that the children have put into growing their plants and looking after these. It is really coming to life now- take a look at our pictures.

We want to make the money stretch as far as we can and are therefore taking time to consider the best allocation of this. We will keep you updated as the Pre School allotment project develops.

We are so proud of Caterpillar Class who have taken on the responsibility of looking after our herbs. They are growing really well thanks to our amazing young gardeners!

Our Veggies and Blooms allotment is bursting with fresh vegetables and we are learning the importance of watering these to keep them healthy. As part of our Climate Action plan we are teaching children about saving rainwater into water buts so we do not need to use the water from the tap as much.

Just look at our tomatoes, flowers and our salad leaves which are just popping through. Our strawberries need a little more sun to turn red and our beetroot and lettuces are amazing, our herbs are looking good too.

Well done children for tending to your plants so well.