Busy Bees Nursery shuns bricks and mortar for Mongolian Yurts and mud kitchens
Laura Cuthbertson and Ruth Lister, two sisters who own ‘Busy Bees Nursery’ in Bourne have abandoned traditional construction in favour of three authentic Mongolian Yurts, mud kitchens and Woo Woo Waterless Compost toilets - in a radical act of sustainable, nature-led childcare.
Driven by research that outdoor education benefits children's long term health and emotional development, an outdoor-based nursery quickly became the preferred option for Busy Bees.
The 3-acre site, initially designated for a brand new brick-built nursery facility, swiftly transformed instead into a forest school with three dedicated Mongolian Yurts for 2–4 year olds.
A move which has positively impacted the children and families who form part of their Busy Bees Bourne Community (www.busybeesbourne.co.uk/).
“We just knew that we’d be able to achieve something amazing here” said Laura. “There is no doubt that our immune systems benefit from being outdoors. We’ve not had a chicken pox outbreak for two years! Our babies and toddlers are inside, but the older children have most definitely thrived with so much outdoor time”.
The most recent addition was the WooWoo Compost toilet cabins https://www.waterlesstoilets.co.ukwhich have enabled Busy Bees to provide hand-washing and toilet facilities for children. "This has been a big project for us" they said, "it forms a part of our sustainability plan. It’s been a team effort to get them ready and we're so grateful to all who helped!"