PUXTON Park has announced that the Busy Buddies Nursery Expansion project has now been completed.

The project began to meet the rising demand for childcare services in North Somerset. Some families in the region have been enduring excessive waiting periods, often exceeding 12 months.

The nursery, located on Puxton Park grounds, is made up of two state-of-the art buildings, countryside gardens and even a forest school.

The Busy Buddies' website explains the benefits of forest school: "Forest school helps children develop many skills that are hard to  teach in the classroom. It’s very physical so it encourages children to  be active, with lots of activities to develop both fine and gross motor skills.

"Children learn to assess, appreciate and take risks, making sensible, informed decisions about  how to tackle the activities and experiences they encounter.

"They’re learning to be self-sufficient and take care of themselves, which boosts  their confidence and self-esteem.

"Through trial and error they learn to deal with failure and develop the resilience to keep  trying, a vital skill in the classroom as well as outside.

"Forest school ties in with many areas of the EYFS Curriculum.  For example, being outdoors year-round helps children learn about weather and the seasons,  studying mini beasts and plant life, and working on tasks like den building and woodwork enabling each unique child to demonstrate their characteristics of effective learning."

The nursery's footprint has expanded from 1,668 sq. ft to a 5,920 sq. ft. 20 additional jobs for early years teachers have been created.

The childcare facility is owned and managed by Justine and Chris Bristow.

Alistair Mead, managing director of Puxton Park, said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled about this milestone for Busy Buddies Nursery at Puxton Park.

"Our commitment has always been to create spaces that not only educate but nurture the spirits of our youngest community members. This expansion represents more than just a physical growth—it’s a testament to our dedication to providing a place where children can learn, explore, and grow surrounded by the beauty of nature.

"Chris and Justine’s vision perfectly aligns with our ethos of fostering curiosity and appreciation for the outdoors and we’re truly honoured to be partnering with such passionate individuals. Together, we're shaping a haven that cherishes childhood and supports the development of future generations.”