Lady Salisbury cut the ribbon at the grand opening of a stimulating new Hatfield preschool garden on Monday.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Headteacher Kathryn Evans (left), pre-school manager Angela Cumming (right) and pre-school children with Lady Salisbury as she officially opens the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOOHeadteacher Kathryn Evans (left), pre-school manager Angela Cumming (right) and pre-school children with Lady Salisbury as she officially opens the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)

The renovation at Birchwood Nursery took an “uninspiring” space with old facilities and has turned it into a bit of a wonderland for the children.

The large garden, previously covered by a large canopy and a climbing frame over a decade old, now has water features, a mud kitchen, a planting and growing area, and a great big sandpit.

“There’s a lot of things for the children to investigate and experience and give them a real stimulating environment,” said preschool manager Angela Cumming, adding that as an extension of the classroom, it would encourage discovery and risk-taking.

“The kids absolutely love it,” she added. “When we took them out there initially they just looked in amazement.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Lady Salisbury at the opening of the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOOLady Salisbury at the opening of the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)

“Now there’s masses of space for them.”

It wasn’t just a hit with the kids - even Lady Salisbury mucked in and began making sandcastles with the little ones at the grand opening on November 26.

The project is the result of ongoing fundraising to raise around £35,000.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Lady Salisbury at the opening of the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOOLady Salisbury at the opening of the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Kids test out the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOOKids test out the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Kids test out the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOOKids test out the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Lady Salisbury at the opening of the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOOLady Salisbury at the opening of the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Kids test out the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOOKids test out the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Lady Salisbury at the opening of the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOOLady Salisbury at the opening of the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Lady Salisbury at the opening of the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOOLady Salisbury at the opening of the new garden at Birchwood Nursery School. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)