A PRE-SCHOOL is celebrating the launch of a new project centred around creative play to encourage young children’s development and wellbeing.

Osmotherley Pre-School tomorrow (Saturday, April 26) will officially open two new rooms dedicated to encouraging children to be creative and problem-solving using a large range of materials and unwanted packaging.

The pre-school’s ReMida (CORRECT) resources room contains all manner of materials, including packaging and natural objects, which children can use to turn into artwork to express themselves.

Manager Gill Hunton said: “Everything that goes in that room is treasure to the children. It’s the stuff people throw away. We’ve transformed these two rooms to encourage them to become curious. There’s a whole hoard of weird and wonderful materials on display.

“Children also need the opportunity to be curious and find out about things like problem-solving and creative thinking. Children generally aren’t being encouraged into the science subjects or creative arts, but that’s where the future entrepreneurs will come from.”

The pre-school, situated in the village near Northallerton, North Yorkshire has been awarded a £2,000 grant to research children’s early creativity and is planning to get a local artist to come in and work with the children.

The nursery is also celebrating being awarded a North Yorkshire Quality Kitemark status.