Children at Partou Cherubs Day Nursery and Pre-school in Sale have taken part in a gardening engagement session with leading national landscape company Urban Planters.
Together, they planted a variety of vegetables that will be nurtured and grown at the setting’s new growing garden.
“The children learned how to successfully plant and care for vegetables, and discussed the different meals and recipes that could be created once they are ready to harvest,” Carly Burrows, Partou’s Area Manager, explained.
“It is important for children to understand where their food comes from and be involved in every stage of the journey - from planting and growing, to harvesting and cooking.
“The nursery’s long-term aim is to grow enough vegetables to use in its meals and, as the garden becomes more established, share a small amount of the produce with the local community.”
Carly said the children thoroughly enjoyed spending time in the growing garden and regularly check on the plants’ progress, taking pride in helping to keep them watered and cared for.
She added: “Partou Cherubs already makes good use of the herbs grown in the nursery garden. They are incorporated into its homemade playdough recipes and water play activities, providing wonderful sensory experiences as children create potions, pies and other imaginative creations filled with natural fragrances.
“The chef also uses the fresh herbs in nursery meals, helping the children make meaningful connections between growing food and enjoying it at mealtimes.”
Urban Planters has been bringing homes and workplaces to life with plants since 1965. By funding a dedicated climate action workforce, it offsets its carbon emissions both professionally and personally, contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.
Lucy Lane, who manages exterior sales at Urban Planters, said: “We were delighted to be invited to Partou Cherubs to host our engagement session with a hands-on approach, planting a range of herbs and vegetables into the beautifully renovated 'allotment' garden.
“Introducing natural elements in a learning setting cultivates spaces to grow in every sense, for the children, the environment and, of course, the produce.
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, so these engagement sessions fit perfectly with our drive to install sustainable, engaging and accessible schemes, and inspire our future generations.
“The children were both receptive and inquisitive. We really enjoyed our visit!'
Located in a large, detached property off Dane Road in Sale, Partou Cherubs provides high quality childcare and early years education for families commuting from Altrincham, Stretford, Brooklands and the wider Trafford area.
It has a real home from home feel with bright indoor playrooms and a large outdoor space which includes mud kitchens and the growing garden, a recent addition to the nursery.
Kirsty Jackson, Partou Co-Managing Director, said: “We are grateful to Urban Planters for sharing their expertise and passion for growing with the children at Partou Cherubs.
“As well as teaching the children new skills and importance of sustainable food supplies, it is fantastic that the ultimate objective is for the nursery to produce vegetables for themselves and the local community.”