A Newcastle nursery celebrated 40 years at a fun-filled celebration event.
Childsplay Claremont Nursery celebrated the landmark achievement at Blaydon Rugby Club on Saturday with plenty of entertainment for the children.
Established as a non-profit organisation in 1982, Childsplay's drive and passion for the education of children in their early years has ensured it is one of the most sought after nurseries across Newcastle.
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As a co-operative, Childsplay’s ethos is based around the consistent involvement of the families, as well as the community within which they are based - their approach to learning is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy.
Their 40th anniversary is not only recognition of how many years they have successfully operated as an early years establishment, but also a celebration of how many families, staff, and members of the wider community have built such strong ongoing relationships with one another over the years.
Nursery manager Diane Gregory hopes that this celebratory event was one that everyone will remember - with plans prior having been kept top-secret and under wraps, to ensure everyone had a wonderful surprise upon arrival.
Speaking to ChronicleLive, Diane said: "The nursery opened up in 1982 as a co-operative, and it was a group of parents who set the nursery up at that time. We're in a building in Newcastle, on the campus of Newcastle University - so we have a lot of families who are working at Newcastle University, and general public, people who work in the city.
"We take children from babies right through to five-year-olds and we run along a philosophy under the ethos of Regio Emilia which is internationally renowned for the approach we have to children's learning. We believe that children are very capable and very capable learners.
"At the nursery there's 40 practitioners - all with different roles. I lead the team but I have a great team behind me. Some of them have obviously set this day up today and there's lots going on."
A whole host of activities and entertainment for the children was arranged including a big top circus complete with performers, an animal petting zoo, Ferris wheel, face painters and an abundance of others. A staggering five hundred plus guests were expected to attend the event - including past parents, children, and staff, all of whom who were thrilled to catch up with an array of familiar faces.
The Lord Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Dot Burnett, and The Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Karen Robinson also attended, alongside founding members such as Ella Ritchie, who helped to unveil the new Childsplay logo - raising a toast to celebrate 40 years of excellent early years education.
All members of the co-operative received a special gift upon leaving the event in the form of a rose plant, representing the continued strength and growth of Childsplay as an early years setting and co-operative organisation for many years to come.
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