Babies, toddlers and pre-school children across Bristol have enjoyed their first week back in early education after the lockdown was lifted for nursery settings on 1 June.

Children at Mama Bear’s Day Nursery and Pre-schools were able to enjoy activities and reunite with friends and caregivers, while adjusting to the new safety measures in place.

The Mama Bear’s team have been preparing the settings for the children’s return and implementing a programme of staff training to ensure staff are up-to-date with the new covid-19 procedures.

Tony Driffield, who co-owns the nursery group with early years expert wife Bev, said: “We have done everything possible to ensure the safety of the children on their return to nursery.

“Of course we have been supporting the children of key workers and vulnerable children throughout the crisis so a lot of measures were already in place but we have been working hard to make the changes required to accommodate more children in our settings.

“It has been wonderful to welcome the children back this week and see them having fun and learning. It’s also been great to see our new procedures in place and working as they should.”

The returning children have enjoyed lots of educational and fun activities this week including finding frogs in the garden, lunchtime picnics, imaginative play and learning about the life cycle of sunflowers.

Tony continued: “It has been really tricky to manoeuvre through this crisis and there is a long way to go for all of us yet but our staff have been phenomenal and so adaptable which has been fantastic. We’d also like to thank our parents for their support and we look forward to welcoming more children back in the months to come.”

Mama Bear’s children have expressed their feelings on returning to nursery. Olive, aged 4, said: “I like being back at nursery because I get to play with my friends.” Poppy, also 4, said: “I am so happy that my friends are back but the rugs have gone.” While another pre-schooler Jaxon said: “I like playing with my friends again and all the toys.”

Mama Bear’s is a family-run, renowned nursery group offering high-quality, affordable care across the South West.  

Established in 2002 the group now includes 24 nursery settings in Bristol, Somerset and Devon and caters for children aged three-months to five-years. 

More information on Mama Bear’s Day Nursery can be found at www.mamabear.co.uk.