Sunderland nursery tots brush up on their ball skills

Youngsters from Busy Bees are on the ball.

Football coaching is helping Busy Bees in Ryhope Village to keep fit.

The nursery has recently joined forces with Tekkers North East to showcase how football can enhance the everyday learning experiences of its children and promote the positive aspects of sport.

The Hendon-based football academy recently visited and held a trial session at the popular Waterworks Road nursery, and staff were so impressed with the delivery of the training that it has now been made available to children and parents for the foreseeable future.

Nursery manager Faye Bradford said: “The trial session was fabulous and our children really enjoyed taking part, getting involved and practising their skills with a football.

“Importantly, the session demonstrated and mirrored many aspects of our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), including language and physical development and the significance of both personal and social skills whilst participating in sport.

“Our children are encouraged and supported to develop all aspects of their social, physical and mental skills during their time at nursery and the trial session clearly demonstrated that football is a great way to enhance all areas of learning.”

Coaches from Tekkers North East will be running the sessions for an initial four-week period.

If the coaching continues to be successful, parents could then be given the opportunity to opt in for more sessions

The first Busy Bees nursery was opened in 1984, by three couples who were dissatisfied with the childcare options available to them.

Now, it is the UK’s largest provider of quality childcare.