Nursery children enjoying new outdoor area thanks to grant
Children at Park Lane Nursery, Whittlesey, are enjoying an enhanced outdoor play and environmental education area thanks to a grant.
The nursery was awarded £36,500 from Glassmoor Local Environment Fund, which provides funding for projects that improve the environment and enhance residents' knowledge of an environmental issue. The fund is one of several similar funds available for projects in Fenland.
The grant enabled the development of the nursery's outdoor area including with a new pergola, bug hotels and nature play equipment.
Image above: Park Lane Nursery pupil Kason cuts the ribbon on the enhanced outdoor learning area.
Fenland District Council's Cllr Dee Laws, portfolio holder for planning, said: "It's wonderful to see this project fulfilled with the support of the fund.
"It's exactly the sort of thing the fund is there to enable in Fenland and we'd encourage other schools and community groups to consider what projects they'd like to bring to life that similarly promote environmental learning or benefits and to get in touch with their ideas and applications."
Philip Ansell, chairman of Glassmoor Local Environment Fund committee, said: "It's great to see the money going towards something so worthwhile.
"It gives kids an opportunity to get out in the fresh air and engage with the world outside the classroom."
Liz Hughes, nursery manager, said: "We are so grateful for the support of the fund in enabling this hugely valuable project. It has significantly improved our nursery outdoor area and everyone is delighted with it.
"Outdoor play is vital for nursery children. It boosts physical health, supports emotional well-being and sparks curiosity through hands-on exploration and social interaction.
"Our nursery children just love being outside in our extensive nursery garden, and we have been able to extend the learning opportunities for the children. We like to nurture the love of being outdoors and these learning opportunities we can promote will lay the foundations for life of developing respect and understanding of nature.
"The bug hotels, fruit, vegetable and flower wooden planters are not only great for our children's learning but are also helping to improve biodiversity in our garden. It also captures the interest of our families and wider community and engages them in considering the environment too."
Image above: Phillip Ansell, chairman of Glassmoor Local Environment Fund committee, left, and Park Lane Primary and Nursery School executive headteacher Rob Litten toast the new mud kitchen, with Gracie and Hailey.
Fenland District Council is part of the committee that administers and awards Glassmoor Local Environment Fund and other similar funds including Ransonmoor Community Fund.
Glassmoor Local Environment Fund is funded by EDF Renewables under the section 106 planning agreement for Glassmoor wind farms in Whittlesey.
- Discover more about grants available at: Grants
Image above: Park Lane Primary and Nursery School executive headteacher Rob Litten declaring the enhanced outdoor area open.
- See more images from the outdoor area opening event on Facebook
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November 2025
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