On-going plans:
The school is installing surface top planter below the window behind the beds which will be used to run gardening projects with children and families, with both seasonal plants and herbs.
the children will help put up bamboo boarders around the fencing in on each side for a nature feel and will be making an application to the LA to have the bus stop moved to allow projects to take place in the front garden safely.
Our Project:
We had to adapt plans with the removal of the garden bed for nursery children to garden at due to safeguarding issues with being on street view.
We were able to regenerate the beds and renew with evergreen plants and install a tap and water system which has been partly funded by the project and the remainder by the school.
The entrance to the Nursery is warm and inviting and children have said how happy they feel to come into school and see all the pretty flowers!
Take a look at the new Nursery front Garden that will be well-watered and green all year round, a beautiful sight for families and all those who walk past the school every day!

We are so happy with the outcome of our Nursery Front Garden.
We had to adapt plans with the removal of the garden bed for nursery children to garden at due to safeguarding issues with being on street view.
We were able to regenerate the beds and renew with evergreen plants and install a tap and water system which has been partly funded by the project and the remainder by the school.
The entrance to the Nursery is warm and inviting and children have said how happy they feel to come into school and see all the pretty flowers!
Take a look at the new Nursery front Garden that will be well-watered and green all year round, a beautiful sight for families and all those who walk past the school every day!

We're excited to be moving forward with our gardening project, we have schedule works to be completed over the half term for the beautiful designs that have been developed for us and are attached.
These have been developed in partnership with our staff parents and children who are very excited to be see the new nursery entrance/front playground when they return after the half term!

Hello! Site visit is now completed and was done with the presence of your site manager. Please kindly invite him to this group so he can see updates as well and exchange ideas for your project. The next stage is the design phase. It seems that some ideas have been originated so please do send to my email so I can have a look and give a feedback.
Looking forward to speaking with your team and get your project completed soon! The aim is before the end of this month :)

Hello!! When would you like to organise a meeting to discuss the potential of your space and think of design? Looking forward t helping you transform your nursery garden!

Hi Aurelia did you manage to fill out the rest of the form so you can get your funding approved?

Action plan detailed:
Timeline:

- When will you be able to start your project? —> if there is any chance to give a push for getting this done during the summer, before school starts it would be beneficial…parents could get involved too…Sofia from your team is well connected…it may be a good person to ask. Once the project is approved, the site visit and design are pretty quick…it just require a little feedback from everyone to make sure everyone is happy but am confident it can be done quickly.

Work can start over the summer, then planting can be done with staff/parent/children through September…

- How often will your team meet? TBC with your team once a week or every 2 weeks as required. Communication through emails or on site.

- Are there any key dates to share for the project?

A couple of dates where parents get involved might be great

Budget:

- Improvement of the nursery garden (small areas in front and back) - addition of raised beds for growing flowers/herbs + sensory garden (in the wellness corner) + trees or bushes and scented plants along the railing + willow tunnel and plants around the sand pit
- Improvement of a pond area for wildlife
- compost bin/wormery/bug hotel
- labor cost
- external help for running gardening sessions
Impact:

- How will your community benefit from this project? To add (may be helpful to get teacher insight here)

- Do you have any measurable goals for your project, such as the number of people that will participate? To add (nursery school children+ siblings visiting for family gardening days for instance or other children from Reception or Y1 TBC )

- Are you hoping to spread knowledge or increase interest in a specific subject? For instance meeting Sustainability goals? Raising awareness around protection of the environment, etc...

Location: If your project requires physical space, have you decided the location? Do you have all necessary permission and permits to carry out your project at the chosen location?

Yes it will b e in the Nursery area (entrance of the nursery, around the sandpit/outdoor kitchen are and wellness garden,

Pond area and front of the reception area as well if enough funding is available.

Size of the space: 3mx5m approximately for the front garden, wellness garden 3x3m (it has a tree in the middle)

Additional questions

Please answer the questions below as much as you can.

Growing Space will review the information you provide before your kickstart call.

This will help save time and get you started straight on your project once you receive your seed funding!

1) Please take a few pictures of your site (at different time of the day ideally and when the sun is out).—> picture attached

2) Please write here a small description of what you would ideally like to achieve -> small growing space for the children with high raised beds for parents and children to enjoy when arriving from school, getting a more interactive and accessible aoutdoor space for the children during day time.

3) Please confirm the age group of children you are working with and that will be involved in the implementation of your project - 2-5y (if reception area included)

4) Please give us the estimate of the number of children that your new Mini Growing Space will benefit (can be directly and indirectly) —> to add

5) What activities do you plan to offer that will include your community (other than children) (for instance, parents, neighbours, extended families of children or else, elderly people)

Family gardening days with children and parents, ...

6) What do you already have in your site that can be reused (material, structures etc)?

Yes a couple of old raised beds and some pots (see pictures)

7) Water access - yes with hose

8) Please confirm in writing here that you have permission from a manager or landlord (of the building or head of a school (as necessary) that says that they are happy to make the improvement of their outdoor space and let you lead the project. Yes permission is obtained by the school head

Hello Thomas's academy team! please ensure that you add the last details on your page so you can receive your funds as soon as possible! Pictures of the site with sun + action plan :). I look forward to starting with you and get your project started soon! There is still time to plant things in the ground for the autumn!

Action plan:

Timeline: When will you be able to start your project? How often will your team meet? Are there any key dates to share for the project?

Budget: You don't need to share exact prices, but please share how you're planning to spend the seed funding & what costs you're anticipating to get your project up and running:

Impact: How will your community benefit from this project? Do you have any measurable goals for your project, such as the number of people that will participate? Are you hoping to spread knowledge or increase interest in a specific subject?

Location: If your project requires physical space, have you decided the location? Do you have all necessary permission and permits to carry out your project at the chosen location?

Additional questions

Please answer the questions below as much as you can. 

Growing Space will review the information you provide before your kickstart call. 

This will help save time and get you started straight on your project once you receive your seed funding!

1) Please take a few pictures of your site (at different time of the day ideally and when the sun is out).

2) Please write here a small description of what you would ideally like to achieve

3) Please confirm the age group of children you are working with and that will be involved in the implementation of your project

4) Please give us the estimate of the number of children that your new Mini Growing Space will benefit (can be directly and indirectly)

5) What activities do you plan to offer that will include your community (other than children) (for instance, parents, neighbours, extended families of children or else, elderly people) 

6) What do you already have in your site that can be reused (material, structures etc)?

7) Water access - please state if you have water access on your site and if you are willing to install a water butt (not obligatory) 

8) Please confirm in writing here that you have permission from a manager or landlord (of the building or head of a school  (as necessary) that says that they are happy to make the improvement of their outdoor space and let you lead the project. 

Please note that it is your responsibility to ask a written permission to the site owner. The process is simple but essential to avoid delays in the future. This can be done an email or official head letter from a landlord or manager etc.  Thank you for being diligent.

That’s all for now! 

We are excited to get you started!

Well done for completing the first steps of your challenge! You just need now to add a few pictures of your site and a team photo. Plus your action plan! Once done you will be all set and can wait for approval of your application! Looking forward to working with you on your mini growing space!