To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Kids’ Country Day Nursery in Over Peover we met with Operations & Development Director, Sarah Brown

Providing high-quality childcare and education for children ages 0 to 5 years old over the last ten years, Kids’ Country Day Nursery is ideally located in the heart of Over Peover, welcoming children from Knusford and the surrounding villages of Lower Peover, Chelford, Allostock, and Goostrey. Big hearted brothers, Michael and Andrew Irlam founded the nursery back in 2014 as they had grown up in the village and were looking for a way to give back to the community. The siblings are always looking at reinvesting in the village, also overseeing venues The Dog at Peover and Merrydale Manor.

Celebration

Talking about the ten year anniversary, Operations & Development Director Sarah Brown said, “To celebrate, the nursery threw a series of tipi themed parties for the children and parents. We hosted a variety of children’s entertainers and magicians and our magical unicorn was ready and waiting to welcome the children to enjoy the discos and sensory play. Each child took home an embroidered teddy bear to commemorate the anniversary.”

Ever Evolving

The nursery has made many positive changes over the years. Sarah comments, “Kids’ Country has developed a lot since it first opened with the creation of a new woodland garden, including a pony paddock for Freddie, our nursery pony and our popular Forest School. In this fantastic outdoor space all you can hear are the birds chirping and the children playing. The inside of the nursery has also been completely redecorated.

“Day to day, the team of qualified and experienced Early Years Teachers and nursery staff work together to create a secure, nurturing environment for the children to explore and develop. The Forest School classes encourage children to get stuck into nature come rain or shine. As a nursery, we love to foster the children’s relationships with animals and Susan, our animal expert, leads an exciting petting corner each week where she teaches the children how to look after our rabbits, African snails and of course our pony, Freddie, as well as other animals who have come to visit including sheep, cows, and horses, although we often take walks out to see the horses in the nearby fields too.

Sarah continues, “We also have a buddy scheme running with a local care home where the pre-school children take a monthly visit to the elderly residents - a brilliant day for all involved!

“We love a celebration and we’re very fortunate to be able to use the facilities at Merrydale Manor to host events such as our Nativity and Graduation. We couldn’t wish for a more beautiful setting to wish our Prep School children a fond farewell onto their new school.”

Rewarding

But what does Sarah find most rewarding about her role? She answers, “Each day brings new excitements for the children and it’s a joy to watch – trying new foods, noticing new and different things in the great outdoors, finding treasures out in the local area. The staff are there to support and enhance these learning opportunities every step of the way. Seeing the children smiling whilst running around the playground and having tea parties with their friends is simply beautiful and being invited to play a role in their lives in this way is such an honour.”

2025 Plans

After ten years of success, what is next for Kids’ Country? Sarah answers, “In 2025 we can’t wait to build on the successes and fun events of 2024. Our ‘Festival on the Field’ summer party is always a huge hit, as well as our Christmas Fair which Father Christmas and his reindeers would never miss!

“We’re excited to add some more animals to our farm, to spend more time in our Forest School as well as out in the community, and to watch the children develop their language and music skills in our weekly  Spanish and ukulele sessions.

“We also have some very exciting Mystery Readers lined up for 2025, who visit the children to explain a bit about their jobs, traditions or beliefs. I’d love to tell you who to expect, but then it wouldn’t be much of a mystery.

Sarah concludes, “We feel so privileged to be the first stage of the children’s educational journey and to be able to give them the best start in life. We are so thankful to our fantastic team who help us do this everyday and to our amazing families for their support over the years. We look forward to exciting plans in the future – here’s to the next ten years!”

kidscountry.co.uk

One of the lovely feedback emails Kids’ Country received from parents

“I also wanted you to pass on a message if you don’t mind? I meant to send it a couple of weeks ago when I was telling Becca and Kelly how great your provision is and they said that I was so kind to you. But it’s true! I know I don’t have to say it but it is true.

Hello, I wanted to tell you how wonderful my husband and I think the provision is at kid’s country. We have both been primary school teachers for over 20 years, including as senior leaders in London, so we know a reasonable amount about education settings and our two children have attended the nursery. The staff are so warm at the nursery and always willing to listen and give you time and there is just a great feel on site. We love the focus on getting the children outside whatever the weather and the creative activities that the children get to engage with like the tuff trays, animals and forest school. The leadership team are really visible and again very warm and always have time to talk to you. I wanted to tell you because when I told your leadership team, they commented on how kind I was. I know it is kind to take the time to say it but I mean it sincerely and I want you to hear how pleased we are too. Thank you to you and all of your staff. The 10 year anniversary felt an appropriate day to share.”

Hungry for more?

Read up on the latest news, delicious eats, travel treats and seasonal style trends in FEATURES, or browse a curated selection of our FEATURED PRODUCTS, meander through our guide to the finest things to do in Cheshire and beyond in WHATS ON or partake in our COMPETITIONS.

About The CHESHIRE Magazine

We are the definitive guide to luxury lifestyle in the North West. Latest news, delicious eats, travel treats and seasonal style trends. The Cheshire Magazine is the largest luxury lifestyle title for the North West of England, dropping directly through the letterboxes of VIP subscribers from the Wirral to Greater Manchester plus all the villages and towns in between and digitally available as a subscription in print and digital on issuu.com worldwide. We specialise in connecting luxury brands to likeminded consumers.

If you are interested on how you can partner with The CHESHIRE Magazine, read more about us. Or get in touch to find out more about marketing, featuring or partnering with the Cheshire Magazine in print or online.