Leeds nursery sets children online activities during coronavirus lockdown

Inspirations Nursery, which has branches in Adel and Horsforth, has found a way to stay in touch with children and help keep them entertained during the current lockdown.

Director Nicola MacGregor said the chain has decided not to furlough any members of staff so they can help come up with activities for the children which are then posted in the early years online portal, Tapestry.

She said: "We have been committed to outdoor learning and also learning through play so despite the lockdown we wanted to try and help families with activities for their children through continued engagement with our curriculum."

A recent theme involved collecting sticks and using them for measuring, ordering, counting, making models as well as accompanying videos including a reading of Julia Donaldson's Stick Man.

The tasks boosted skills including literacy, maths, physical development, create arts, communication and language as well as social and emotional development.

Co-ordinator Deborah Keane, who is also the Adel nursery manager, said: "It's been fantastic. Parents and children have really engaged with Tapestry, which is our online learning journal. We also engage through email, social media, Instagram and Facebook to tell us what they have been doing.

"We have been encouraging children to go outside and collect natural resources for their own benefit and to use for our activities. Not all children will have the same art supplies at home but all can collect similar natural resources."

Nicola added: "With restricted domestic arrangements, we still see the chance for our children to continue their development at home. Our fun, play-based learning is a win-win for both parents and children."

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