A PRESTATYN nursery which has gone 'toy free' has a double reason to celebrate.
Daisy Chains nursery turns 15-years-old on Friday, May 1.
To mark the day, children are being sent a packet of Sunflower seeds to grow.
The nursery is also reaching out to parents, old and new, and asking them to share their memories of Daisy Chains.
Rebecca Wright, director at Daisy Chains in Prestatyn
The childcare setting, which has ditched plastic toys in favour of natural play, has achieved 'excellent' following their inspection by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).
The report hasn't been published on the CIW website as yet, but staff are delighted to be notified about the top grade.
Nia Roberts, nursery manager at Daisy Chains, said: "Over the last few weeks since closing, we have kept high spirits on social media, sign posting support, different websites and activity ideas for parents. All the staff also participated in a video that we made so the children could be reminded of all the staff.
Daisy Chain Nursery, Prestatyn. Aniyah Couts, nursery nurse Kate Roberts and Penny Seel. KR111219b
"The sunflowers seeds give children an activity to do whilst at home. We sent out instructions on how to plant them, look after them and asked parents to take photographs so that we can make a scrap book."
The nursery is run by director Rebecca Wright.
Over the last 15 years the nursery has grown from a small nursery setting, with just 21 children and five staff, to now having two sites with joint capacity of 140 children and 35 staff.
Rebecca also has Wonderland - a wedding and event creche company that travels over the UK providing childcare at weddings and events.
Nia added: "After working as a nanny in London and gaining experience in other nurseries, Rebecca knew she wanted to open her own setting with the focus being a child centred approach.
The childcare setting focuses on 'natural play'
"Opening the setting in 2005, the nursery was full of bright colours and murals.
"Both settings are now calmly decorated and have resources that promote a heuristic approach."
In December 2019, the Journal reported Daisy Chains's decision to go 'toy free'.
Nia Roberts, senior/Daisy Chains at Bodnant manager and nursery manager Kelly
Toys were replaced by everyday items such as pots and pans, hats and jewellery, construction items such as tubing, bowls, curtain rings - anything described as ‘tactile’.
Nia added: "This was yet another milestone and it has proven to be extremely successful.
"We are sad that we cant go ahead with our initial plans of a garden party with all our staff - old and new parents and children, however, hopefully we can still go ahead with this once everything is back to normal and safe to do so."
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