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Providing high quality child care and education that meets the needs of local families.


Advertising feature The Ark at Tresillian Nursery


G


reeted by a stand laden with tiny brightly coloured wellies, it was clear the little people


here make much use of the adja- cent gardens – both The Ark’s own play area for the very young and, also, the Kingsbridge Community Garden where the direct connec- tion between growing and eating is integral to the ethos of The Ark at Tresillian (112 Fore Street). A unique nursery/pre-school in a unique location, and it was that set- ting which attracted Paula and Harri to bid for the opportunity to make their vision reality. By taking over the long-running existing facility from Devon County Council and leasing the building from DCC, they offer an independent day care facility from birth to 5 years – with a difference!. Joint owners/managing directors


Paula and Harri were successfully operating the sister facility, The Exwick Ark, but there was less scope to develop the chain of Grow – Har- vest – Chop – Eat with the children there. However, the former Horizons building (now lovingly restored and modernised) with the adjacent well established Community Garden provided the ideal venue, together with the opportunity for children at The Ark to become part of the community within that special place. “We are both passion-


ate about children having access to nutritionally balanced, healthy meals so what better than somewhere they can literally sow and grow, harvest, help prepare and then eat fresh fruit and vegetables?”


And with the appointment


of Cook Sasha who shares their commitment to this ethos, children


“....what better than


somewhere they can literally sow and grow, harvest, help prepare and then eat fresh fruit and vegetables?”


at The Ark can now enjoy cooked lunches using, wherever possible, those very fruit and vegetables! “The children have grown straw-


berries, tomatoes including varieties they may not usually see, and sunflowers in their own garden and, in the Community Garden, they have been introduced to aubergines of all different sizes and shapes, peaches


ripened against the warmth of the old walls and fresh figs. The variety of all these sights and smells, tastes and textures adds to the richness of their experiences with us and the children understand the direct con- nection between what we grow and what we eat – and that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be eaten, and neither does food have to come wrapped in layers of plastic!” The several greenhouses provide


an array of seasonal vegetables and salad stuffs; the beehives, a constant source of wonder and education about the importance of caring for our world even when you are still only knee high to a grasshopper. “Since introducing this ethos,


we have had such positive feed- back from the parents and such a willingness from the children to engage and experiment, it has been so rewarding. Healthy eating habits started at a young age will stay with them for life and to be able to inform the children who come to The Ark in such a wonderful, natural environ- ment is so much more effective.” Given the aims of the Community Garden itself, having The Ark at Tresillian so closely involved is clearly an ideal match – the preschool children even ac- companied the Kingsbridge in Bloom judging !


Open 8am - 6pm all year round. Ages 6 months to 4 years. Spaces available. Tel: 01548 852443 Email - admin@tresillianark.co.uk www.exwickark.co.uk


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