Giggles & Wiggles became our main business supporter during our recent crowdfunding campaign. We paid a visit recently to meet owner Jill Jones and to find out more about the Stone nursery…
Giggles & Wiggles feels like it’s in the middle of the countryside. Surrounded by trees and right next to the Common Plot, it’s in a perfect location and makes the most of its ‘rural’ setting, with a nature corridor and lots of fun outdoor activities.
But before you arrive, you’d never guess.
The nursery – which celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this year – is on the Mount Road industrial estate. As you drive on to it, past Lymestone Brewery and the Warburtons lorries, the industrial setting makes way for something much more pleasant.
“We know some people have been put off by our location,” Jill said, “because they think we’re in the middle of an industrial estate. When they arrived, though, they see that Giggles & Wiggles is a different world.”
The estate is the former home of Bents’ Brewery and Giggles & Wiggles is actually based in the brewery manager’s offices. Inside, it does feel like a (very large) family home.
Jill bought the nursery in 2004 after a career in IT, when it was Hillchurch House, and set about renovating inside and out. Nursery manager Jill Dawson has been in post from day one, as have many of the nursery staff.
The decision was made to make much better use of the nursery’s lovely surroundings and, over the years, the outdoor play areas have been developed and nature areas and corridors created. Children spend time on the Common Plot.
In fact, Giggles & Wiggles children spend quite a lot of time outside. It’s something Jill is passionate about and the nursery is now Forest School accredited.
Jill said: “The curriculum is taught but with an outdoor focus. Rather than being constrained by the classroom, we believe that the natural world stimulates the children’s desire to learn and discover.
“So children learn to count, for instance, by collecting and counting sticks in the nature corridor. They make dens, small fires, toast marshmallows on them, get on to the Plot to find resources. Forest School status has changed the way that children learn with us, and it’s very much for the better. Our parents love it, too, because children go home tired!”
Nursery manager Julie Dawson added: “We’re very progressive and innovative here. We’re always looking for new experiences for the children.”
Click HERE for more information on the nursery’s wide range of Forest School activities and experiences.
The nursery held a really popular Forest School holiday club in the October half-term and will be holding more. There’s also a thriving parent-and-toddler group that meets on Friday mornings.
Another of Jill’s passions is the food that children eat at Giggles & Wiggles. She said: “Everything is cooked fresh here and we use local suppliers. We have a Nurturing Health platinum award and take this side of nursery life so seriously. Children also get involved in helping to prepare their own lunches.”
There are five areas in the nursery: Imps for the babies (with a lovely separate sleeping area), Pixies, Elves, Gnomes and a purpose-built pre-school room. There’s also a sensory room and – so important for parents on the morning nursery run – plenty of parking!
“Any parents who are looking for a nursery for their child should come and have a look round,” Jill said. “We’d be delighted to show you everything that Giggles & Wiggles has to offer.”
You can call Giggles & Wiggles on 01785 813528 or have a look at their website HERE. The nursery is also on Facebook – www.facebook.com/giggleswigglesstone
Giggles & Wiggles offers funded places for all eligible 2, 3 and 4 year olds – for more information and to see whether your child is eligible, have a look HERE
We couldn’t help asking Jill why her nursery had backed our crowdfunding campaign! She said: “We decided to back A Little Bit of Stone as we find it to be such an important part of Stone community. A Little Bit of Stone is the first port of call for finding out anything about what is happening in Stone and it provides much needed support to the local businesses. ALBOS already plays such an integral role in Stone and we are excited to see where it goes next with the crowdfunding backing!”
HUGE thanks to all the businesses and individuals who backed our campaign.
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