Nov
23
Look who’s talking now – Blackpool
Filed Under News
A unique new class at a top Penrith nursery is giving local babies a head start when it comes to talking.
The pioneering scheme, launched this week at the Safehands Greenstart Nursery in Oak Road, involves baby sign language –helping youngsters from just a few months old upwards make sense of each word they hear.
The baby signing was delivered by Wigton mum of five Helen Atherton on behalf of Tiny Talk who will be staging other special classes at the nursery in the run up to Christmas.
Nine babies joined staff in the first class held in the nursery’special baby room.
Safehands Greenstart manager Carrie Gelder who lives in Orton, said:” It was amazing to see the babies’ react and having so much fun in a learning environment. Babies realise objects have names and though they don’t normally learn to talk until 12 to 18 months old, baby sign language bridges that gap”. Most popular words included milk, drink, more, eat and thank you.
The remarkable classes are part of celebrations to relaunch the nursery, formerly known locally as Abacus, which has now been taken over by the Blackpool based Safehands network one of the UK’s leading providers of quality childcare and nursery education facilities. The Penrith nursery, which can cater for up to 47 youngsters and is open from 8 am to 6pm five days a week, is the first eco friendly nursery in the region.
From a very early age youngsters are taught about conservation, environmental and recycling issues in a fun way and have a huge outdoor garden and play area where they learn to grow fruit and vegetables much of which is then served up for them by cook Helen Middleton.
The pioneering Penrith scheme has been so successful it is set to be introduced at other Safehands nurseries. There are also plans for a sensory garden and a special Safehands Greenstart minibus service helping to reach parents and children in the more remote rural areas of Cumbria.
“These are exciting times and its really what local parents deserve”, said Carrie. ”We aim to provide the very best service in a safe, secure and friendly environment.”
Other events lined up at the nursery include a Children in Need fund-raiser later this month, a visit by the local traffic police on November 21st to help youngsters learn about people who help in the community, and a Xmas entertainment for all the family at the nursery on December 19th.
Anyone interested in these events or the baby sign classes should contact Carrie at Safehands Greenstart Nursery .Tel:01768 868327.
