CHILDREN have been given the opportunity to explore the great outdoors after their nursery garden was given a £40,000 makeover.

Kiddi Caru day nursery, in Broadmere Road, Beggarwood, Basingstoke received the investment from head office to make the garden a place where the children can learn and play.

Families whose children attend the nursery were invited to the opening of the new garden on Saturday, where special guests Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men kicked off the fun.

Nursery manager Gemma Hobden said everyone who attended the event seemed to really enjoy themselves.

She said: “The nursery was running as normal, but as soon as we opened up the outside area the children flooded outdoors.

“We have never really had a big garden area before so this now opens up more possibilities for them.

“It is great that we now have the facilities to provide the children that visit the nursery with outdoor activities.”

The investment has gone towards creating a new den observatory for the children to use, as well as denmaking equipment so they can make their own hideouts.

During the celebration on Saturday, children and their parents planted seeds in their own individual plant pots to help the garden blossom further in the upcoming spring and summer months.

The event also helped raise money for Kiddi Caru’s chosen charity Home Start UK, through the use of an outdoor coffee room, where staff held a bake sale, selling cakes the children had helped make.

“It was such a fun day and the weather was great,” added Gemma.

“I’m sure all the children will really enjoy being outdoors, having fun and exploring.”