Games, cake and graduation hats for end of year nursery celebration

Wearing special child-size mortar board hats for the occasion, the senior pre-school group gathered outside in front of friends and relatives to celebrate before heading off to primary school in September.

Lucy Hitt, Nursery Mananger at Busy Bees in Peatmoor, said: “We do a graduation at all Busy Bees nurseries now every year, we like to celebrate the children's achievements while they’ve been here with us.

“Some of them have been here since they were four months old so it’s nice to be able to mark their time here.

“We take a look back at photos and it’s nice to see how they’ve all changed and grown up.”

While it was clearly a proud day for the parents involved, it was also a moving day for some of the staff members at Busy Bees.

Lucy added: “It’s actually quite emotional for staff to say goodbye, especially with the children who came here as babies.

“We have a key person system here so the staff build some really close bonds.”

As each child was presented with their graduation certificate, a short memory of their time at the nursery was read out.

Relationships with others, friendly personalities and a love of play were among the tributes paid by staff to the departing youngsters.

After the formal-ish part of the occasion, there were party games and a special graduation cake.

And while the children may be leaving for new adventures, they will leave behind a present to the others coming to the nursery in the years to follow.

In the past, trees have been planted and bird tables erected in tribute to graduating pre-schoolers but on this occasion they have gone a step further and a new bench with a dedication plaque will take pride of place in the garden from next year.

Staff plan to turn it into a ‘reflection area’ for the children to have a quiet space in what is a very busy nursery.

The senior pre-school graduating class at Busy Bees Nursery in Peatmoor. Picture: Thomas Kelsey