THE first fulltime day nursery to open in Swanage for almost a decade will be taking in children from this month Set at Durlston Country Park’s Learning Centre, the Children’s Nature Nursery, for youngsters aged two-and-a-half to five-years-old, takes inspiration from Danish Forest Kindergartens.

The nursery at Durlston has two sister nurseries, which both currently hold ‘outstanding’ Ofsted ratings, at Avon Heath Country Park and at Lymington in the New Forest.

At Durlston the nursery will follow the ‘kids love nature approach’, developed by its founders Ben Walliman, pictured, and Alex Shepherd.

Ben explained: “The ‘kids love the nature approach’ provides an environment of synergy between indoor spaces, the near, the far and the great outdoors. Our mission is to connect children and families to nature, to set them out on a journey that will last them a lifetime.

“We complement the outdoors learning at Children’s Nature Nursery with a high quality indoor nursery environment that enables all aspects of early childhood to flourish in the modern world.”

The nursery, opening on April 22, from 8am to 5pm, will open all year, including half-term holidays.

Ben said: “Our approach draws on the best aspects of early years practice taking our inspiration from the Danish Forest Kindergartens, Montessori and Reggio Emilia.

“We are completely child centred in everything we do allowing the children time and space to become absorbed into their learning.”

Durlston Country Park senior ranger Katie Black says she is delighted to be working in partnership with the nursery.

“It will be fantastic to see children enjoying and exploring the amazing wildlife and countryside of Durlston, she said.

All local families attended a parent day and nursery tour event last Saturday.

Information on how to register your child via durlston@kids lovenature.co.uk, or call 01929 505 018. Further information from kidslovenature.co.uk