THE first day of construction at a Lymm nursery is now under way.

Day nursery Back to the Garden Childcare has broken ground at its Whitbarrow Road venture.

A time capsule filled with photos, drawings and crafts from the pre-schoolers in Broadheath, which is their other site, was buried to mark the occasion.

Founders Stewart and Jeannie Pickering were joined by parent and child Katy-Mae and two-year-old Miller and expectant nursery administrator Gina Greef from Back to the Garden’s first site in Altrincham, to mark the start of construction.

With its innovative outdoor classroom, forest schools-based curriculum and all-seasons learning and exploration space, Back to the Garden is said to be an expertly designed, purpose-built daycare setting.

It focuses on organic, child-led learning through outdoor play.

The nursery is embarking on a period of expansion, taking to new locations across the north west and beyond.

Founder Jeannie Pickering said: “We are delighted to officially break ground on our second setting and excited to bring the Back to the Garden concept to Lymm.

“We aim to deliver the very best in childcare, based on a natural approach where children spend as much time as possible outside learning actively through outdoor play in the fresh air and developing at their own pace.

“It’s wonderful to have Miller, one of the very first children to join us at Broadheath, and his mum here with us today and also Lymm local Gina who will be transferring to the new nursery when she returns from maternity leave next year.”

The plans for the nursery are to offer a safe and stimulating environment both inside and out, the nursery will allow children to explore, learn and discover in a beautifully landscaped garden complete with dedicated forest schools space.

It is part of a wider £28.25 million development that also includes a state-of-the-art care centre and 45 luxury apartments in a leafy conservation area setting next to the Trans Pennine Trail.

With construction now underway, there is an estimated completion date of October 2022.