DOZENS of young children brought their favourite teddy bears to a special picnic at Abbey Meads Primary Community School on Monday so they could be introduced to their future teachers.

The North Swindon school is set to mark an exciting chapter in its history come September by opening a nursery.

And over the next couple of months, staff are working hard to make sure both the toddlers and their parents feel part of the school community.

On Monday, families were able to sit down to a summery picnic on the school field as well as take part in a whole host of games and activities.

Donna Wright, assistant headteacher said: “We are expanding our age range therefore we invited the children to the school for a teddy bear picnic to establish a relationship with them and the parents before they start in a couple months’ time.

“We are all very excited about having the new nursery because it means we can transition the children into the school and make sure they have a routine sorted.

“We are working hard to establish these relationships early on so that we are familiar to them and that the parents have the opportunity to ask any questions so that they aren’t scared when they come here at the start of term."

When it opens, the nursery will be able to cater for up to 48 children who will be able to stay for a morning or afternoon session.

In the next couple of months, teaching staff will be visiting the children at home before a drop-in stay and play session will be held on Friday, September 1.

Donna added: “What we are hoping to do is integrate them into the school as much as we can through taking part in the Christmas nativity and sports day so everything is more familiar to them and they feel a part of our school community.”