Scrambled Snake was on the menu when a nursery celebrated the opening of its new yurt along with some special guests. 
 

Children's favourite, the Gruffalo, made a surprise appearance at Cubs & Kits Daycare Nursery and Pre-School in Berwick during the ribbon cutting for its new outdoor learning space.    
 

The yurt, made possible thanks to a fundraising drive and generous support from the local community, is the next step in plans for Cubs & Kits to become a fully-fledged Forest School. 
 

Outdoor learning is key to the approach of the nursery which is based in Berwick Family Hub. The new yurt will create even more opportunities for children to connect with nature, providing shelter in the worst of the weather. 
 

Sam Neill, nursery manager, said: “Our children have been absolutely loving our outdoor learning, so we decided to fundraise to have our own yurt. 
 

“They have their waterproofs and wellies and are outside in all weathers having fun, but it's just so that they have somewhere that they can go that's a warm and cosy space. 
 

“We've had a lot of support from parents, past and present, and the local community and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved. 
 

 “The children love walking through the trees, telling their stories and they’ve been busy making Gruffalo Crumble and Scrambled Snake.  Being outdoors helps them to make stories come to life and it's so good for them. 
 

“Our staff are training as Forest School practitioners, so we hope to soon be an official Forest School too.” 
 

The Northumberland County Council provision continues to develop to meet the needs of local families.   
 

Its location within the Berwick Family Hub – part of the trailblazing Family Hub programme – means families now also have easy access to support from a wide range of experts in all issues affecting family life.  
  

Vicky McLeod, Director of Children, Young People and Families at Northumberland County Council, said: "I was delighted to be invited to join the Gruffalos in officially opening this wonderful new yurt.  

 

"It has created a warm and inspiring space where children can let their imaginations run wild and gain new experiences. 

 

"This has been a real team effort by staff, parents and local businesses and really captures how Cubs & Kits and Berwick Family Hub are at the heart of their community.  

  

"Having the two side-by-side under one roof - means families can have all the right support and advice available from before their baby is born right through to the teenage years." 

 

The Government is expanding its childcare support for families and Northumberland County Council is supporting the creation of hundreds more early years, childcare and wraparound places across the county to make sure parents can access quality provision when and where they need it.  

 

The council is also supporting the national “Do Something Big” recruitment campaign which aims to encourage people to start or return to a career working with small children and celebrates the life-changing rewards careers in early years can bring. 
 

Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member for Inspiring Young People, said: “We want all our children in Northumberland to have the best start in life and we have outstanding early years provision across the county.  
 

“The impact of the learning and development a child experiences during their first five years will last a lifetime.” 

 

Eligible working parents who plan to take up a funded place from January 2025 can now apply for a code and are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  
 

For more information on childcare provision, financial support and early years careers visit the Northumberland Family Services Directory here: https://nland.uk/FSD