FORGET Paul and Mary, children at a farm-based day nursery only want to bake with Barbara.

High Bank Day Nursery in Stapleton, near Darlington, has launched a weekly baking club for its toddler and pre-school room children aged two and upwards.

The aim of the club, which is run by nursery cook Barbara Harrison, is to encourage children to cook from a young age and engage with the different textures, colours, smells and flavours.

As well as being lots of fun for the children there are also educational benefits because by getting the children help measure, count, bake and cook recipes from start to finish it helps to develop numeracy and literacy skills.

Barbara said: “The children are really enjoying the baking club and it’s particularly pleasing to see their faces when their parents come at the end of the day and see what they have made for them.

“So far, we have baked fairy cakes and even biscuits which were made from the courgettes that the children have helped to grow in the nursery garden.

“The fact they are seeing something through from the garden to the plate is wonderful and the parents are also helping by providing recipes for us to try.”

High Bank manager Hayley Grainger said: “We introduced the bakery club as part of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework we follow in the nursery and it is about introducing them to new things and learning new skills which will stand them in good stead in the future.”