A FARM-BASED nursery on the outskirts of Darlington has received funding of £2,000 to begin a project aimed at further improving learning for two-year-old children.

The funding received by High Bank Day Nursery in Stapleton has been granted through North Yorkshire County Council’s Quality First Project and will be used to provide a library of resources that can be shared with parents and children at home.

The nursery will be buying and making up story sacks and music/song boxes containing items such as books, toys, games and flashcards.

The funding will also allow High Bank to organise events for parents to meet and socialise together so they can share information about their child’s development. Outside agencies will also be invited to deliver training and discussion groups for parents on topics like diet, exercise, toilet training and behavioural issues.

Manager Jennifer Thompson said: “The project we are undertaking is all about helping us to forge closer links with parents and sharing resources with them so they can support their children’s learning and development at home.

“We are always striving to enhance the partnerships we have with parents and our overall aim is to further improve the children’s quality of life and their life experiences so they are fully prepared for when they leave nursery for school.”

To kick off the project, the nursery will be having a training day on Saturday, April 13, at which staff and parents will be shown how to put story sacks together by experts.