The Eco-Schools Committee has been enthusiastically embracing the Biodiversity topic this term, with the children taking part in a range of hands-on planting and growing activities. Using recycled materials such as egg boxes and cardboard tubes, the children have sown a variety of seeds, including sunflowers, tomatoes, courgettes, strawberries, and chives. These homemade planters were placed on the Nursery windowsill to germinate, where the combination of warm radiators and bright spring sunshine created perfect growing conditions. The sunflower seeds, in particular, shot up quickly—much to the children’s delight. Watching this rapid transformation has done wonders for maintaining their curiosity and excitement.
As the seedlings grew larger, the children carefully transferred the strongest plants into bigger pots. They demonstrated impressive care and gentleness, learning how important it is not to damage delicate seedlings. Alongside the practical work, the children discussed what young plants need to thrive—compost, water, sunlight—and why these elements matter. Stories such as Jasper’s Beanstalk and The Enormous Turnip added an extra layer of enjoyment and helped connect their real-life planting experience with the magic of storytelling.
We plan to continue sowing more seeds over the coming weeks. Growing plants from scratch offers a wonderful blend of fun and science, and we hope our efforts will help attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the Nursery garden. The daffodil bulbs planted back in the autumn have also rewarded the children’s patience, bursting into bright yellow bloom both in the Outdoor Learning area and in the pots outside the Nursery door. The children have enjoyed counting the flowers and comparing how tall the daffodils have grown. One highlight was spotting a bumblebee buzzing happily among the flowers—one of the earliest signs of spring as it sought pollen and nectar.
This year, the Eco-Schools Committee (Nursery boys) and the Eco-Warriors Club (Shell to Year 2) are joining forces for the Guildford in Bloom competition. The theme, “Food for Nature… Food for Me,” invites children to design, plant, and care for a garden that supports wildlife while remaining fully eco-friendly.