Nursery welly walk raises funds to plant trees

Toddlers and pre-schoolers from Little Learners Nursery on the University of Reading’s Whiteknights campus pulled on their wellies to raise money for hundreds of new trees.

Forty-five children took part in a sponsored welly walk around the campus on 16 October, accompanied by parents, grandparents and nursery staff. The under-threes completed two laps of the campus’ main square, while the nursery’s pre-schoolers managed four.

The walk raised a total of more than £700 for JUST ONE Tree, a charity that plants one tree for every pound donated as part of its work to restore forests around the world.

Emma Dolden, Curriculum and Quality Lead at Little Learners Nursery, said: “Our welly walk was a wonderful morning. Forty-five children splashed their way around campus, and every lap they completed will help plant a tree somewhere in the world. It was lovely to see families walking alongside them." 

“Being on the University campus means our children are surrounded by nature. The older ones were fascinated by the big old trees and wanted to know how deep their roots go. That curiosity is exactly what we want to encourage.”

Award-winning eco nursery

Little Learners is an Eco-Schools nursery and has been awarded a Green Flag with Distinction three years in a row. The award recognises settings that go well beyond the standard Eco-Schools criteria in teaching children about sustainability and the environment.

The nursery has developed its own allotment within the nursery garden, takes children on visits around the Whiteknights campus, and runs a ‘junk yard’ play area that reuses everyday materials. It also has a second-hand shelf where families can swap clothes, toys and books.

Dolden continued: “We want our children to grow up caring about the world around them. From growing vegetables in our allotment, to reusing books and toys, we try to show them that small everyday choices can make a real difference.”

Little Learners Nursery welcomes children from the wider local community, as well as those of students and staff of the University of Reading.