Pre-schoolers to ‘toddle’ around Northamptonshire nature reserve to raise money for outdoor equipment

A group of pre-schoolers is gearing up to ‘toodle’ around a local nature reserve to raise money for outdoor equipment.

Yelvertoft Pre-School, which is based in the village hall in High Street, has an outdoor space for the children to use, but has a lack of equipment to play and learn with.

As the school for two to four-year-olds is only partially funded by the Government, the committee wanted to come up with a way to include the children in the fundraising they needed to do in order to afford the outdoor equipment.

Around 18 youngsters will set off for a trek around their local nature reserve where they will complete several laps.

Jason Adams, parent and committee member said: “We were trying to think of creative ways of raising money as we are not entirely funded by the Government, so we have to be creative.

“I wanted to try and do something that would involve the community a little bit and raise the profile of the pre-school, as well getting the kids involved in the local community.

“They are very young so they only have a certain level of understanding, but it’s important.”

The nature reserve is close to the pre-school and has plenty of wildlife that the children will look out for as they complete their sponsored walk.

So far the youngsters have managed to raise more than £200 of the £400 target, which will go towards the new outdoor equipment including a wooden timber den for the children to enjoy.

Jason added: “It’s been hard through lockdown trying to think of ways of keeping the kids entertained.

“They’ve been making dens and they were really excited about it.

“We have outdoor space but we don’t have a lot of equipment so we want to get something new for them to play with, learn with and as a way to interact with each other.

“We don’t have anywhere to keep the equipment inside as they are in a cramped space, so if we raise enough money we would like to get outdoor storage too.”

To sponsor the children, visit their JustGiving page.

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