A PRESCHOOL has installed an ‘mud kitchen’ to help pupils with their learning thanks to a £10,000 lottery funding grant.

Cherry Tree Preschool in Blackburn was awarded the money after applying for National Lottery funding to improve its facilities.

The work has been complete and the outside area has been transformed, with a mud kitchen, outside school/reading area and other outdoor play equipment installed.

Pre-school manager Alison Brough said the facilities are a big boost to the work they do and help improve the ‘picturesque outside area’.

She said: “We are really pleased with it. The school is going from strength to strength.

“When the parents come in it is the first thing they comment on. Some of the children express themselves in different ways, so this can really help with their learning.

“Not only do we have a bright, rich and inviting learning space inside we can now continue this into our natural and enabling environment outside.”

Staff at the preschool also thanked National Lottery bosses who granted the funding.

They said although the preschool had the outdoor space before, it has now been transformed into an ‘educational outdoor play area’ thanks to the funding.

The school, based at St Francis Church hall in Feniscliffe, was founded in 1970 and was awarded the money after ‘months of hard work’ in applying.

The preschool caters for children aged from two to five and have up to 40 places available for pupils.

Staff at the school said they had to go though a lengthy application process to show they should received the national lottery grant money to carry out the plans.

This was after months of planning the outdoor play area they wanted to fund.

Ms Brough said: “We have done really well to get this funding. A lot of people are crying out for this sort of funding to help young people. We can explore, discover and learn which all have a positive impact on children’s health well-being and development.

“We’ve got to keep kids active and make sure they have a healthy lifestyle. It is important we do this from a young age.”

Cherry Tree Preschool is as a charity run preschool and is run by two managers, Alison Brough and Justine Gavahan.