A FARM-BASED nursery on the outskirts of Darlington has opened a new extension which is designed to prepare children for school by creating a classroom environment.

The timber-framed extension, which has been named the ‘Learning Lodge’, has been built at High Bank Day Nursery in Stapleton.

It has been added to the nursery’s pre-school room and includes a computer, an interactive whiteboard, projector, reading area and quiet area. The room also has desks and tables similar to what the children will sit on when they start school.

Manager Jennifer Thompson said: “Our aim at High Bank is to make the transition from nursery to school as easy as possible for the children, and this new room was designed with that in mind.

“Now, we can recreate a classroom environment, in a fun way, for the children by using various resources that they will find when they start school.

“The children love using the computer and whiteboard and sitting down to read and write, just as they will do at school.

“We have had excellent feedback from the parents to the room and they have been involved in its development, including naming it the Learning Lodge.”

Ends.

Picture caption 1: Eden Hope and Adam Nicholls next to the whiteboard in the completed Learning Lodge.

Picture caption 2, from left to right: Sonny Martin, Alex Leggott and Benjy Stewart help with the construction of the extension.