Cleveleys nursery celebrates beach school achievement

A nursery in Cleveleys has become a beach school after taking part in special training, and is looking forward to fully implementing an outdoor-led curriculum when the coronavirus lockdown period ends.
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Nanny Plums nursery on Victoria Road West, Cleveleys, is set to become a beach school after owner Caroline Morton decided to formalise a more "holistic" approach to learning.

The nursery, which cares for children from birth to five years, has worked closely with Lancashire County Council and all staff have taken part in courses provided by them to achieve the beach school status.

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As the coronavirus lockdown period has halted the final stages of staff training with the council, the nursery plans to offer the beach school sessions from later in the summer, subject to Government advice.

Caroline Morton, owner of Nanny Plums nursery, is celebrating its new beach school status.Caroline Morton, owner of Nanny Plums nursery, is celebrating its new beach school status.
Caroline Morton, owner of Nanny Plums nursery, is celebrating its new beach school status.

Owner Caroline, who has owned Nanny Plums since 2016, said: "Beach schools place emphasis on holistic development, and have huge benefits for the personal and social well-being of children.

"We're a small nursery and really concentrate on reading and outdoor learning. We fell this is our niche, and we have such beautiful beaches that we encourage children to explore them."

Mrs Morton, a former head of English at Millfield High School in Thornton, decided to focus the curriculum for the children at Nanny Plums on learning outdoors by taking advantage of the surrounding beach, only a short walk away from the nursery premises.

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The nursery also recently celebrated a "good" rating from Ofsted in their March inspection, progressing from "requires improvement" in 2019.

Nanny Plum's nursery has received beach school status from Lancashire County Council.Nanny Plum's nursery has received beach school status from Lancashire County Council.
Nanny Plum's nursery has received beach school status from Lancashire County Council.

Caroline continued: "We take the children litter-picking, which they absolutely love, and we encourage them to explore the natural world around them, and what better place to do that than our lovely beach?

"The beach school sessions will expand children's opportunities for outdoor learning, and increase their cultural capital.

"Not all children have the opportunity to visit the beach very often, and it's important to teach them about communities, and in particular the community we live in."

A message from the Editor:

Nanny Plums nursery owner Caroline Morton has successfully received beach school status for the nursery, after encouraging an outdoor-led learning approach.Nanny Plums nursery owner Caroline Morton has successfully received beach school status for the nursery, after encouraging an outdoor-led learning approach.
Nanny Plums nursery owner Caroline Morton has successfully received beach school status for the nursery, after encouraging an outdoor-led learning approach.
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