Children at Charnwood Nursery and Pre-School in Rothley were delighted this Children’s Gardening Week to get their hands dirty planting their very own sunflowers as part of a new competition launched by Davidsons Homes at Broadnook Garden Village.

The whole class at Charnwood Nursery in Rothley were able to get outdoors and plant in their very own terracotta pots with the aim of growing their sunflowers from seed to bloom over the coming summer months.

The youngsters learned all about caring for their plants and were encouraged to take them home to their parents, keep them somewhere sunny and well-watered – and take photos as they grow – with the hopes that their flower-filled snaps could earn them an exciting mystery prize.

The initiative is driven by Broadnook Garden Village’s commitment to sowing the seeds with local schools and businesses, connecting when and where they can to make a positive impact on the local community. Broadnook Garden Village has committed to investing more than £17.5 million in local schools, including the construction of a new Broadnook nursery and primary school.

Beverley Coltman, Managing Director for Charnwood Nursery and Pre-School in Rothley said: “Charnwood Nursery and Pre-School is thrilled to be included in Broadnook Garden Village’s initiative to engage local children in planting, nature and gardening. This aligns with our ethos on nature-based learning and extends the learning and experiences that children take part in through our Forest School and outdoor learning programmes. Additionally, this initiative compliments the children’s regular involvement with the local community, which is a significant aspect of our nursery culture.

“Thank you to Davidsons Homes for this opportunity and for providing all of the resources for the children to grow their own sunflowers. We cannot wait to see who grows the biggest one! There will be a prize for the winner, and we’ll be sharing the progress on our social media pages.”

Amber Kanwal, Sales Manager at Davidsons Homes, said: “It was so exciting to see all these young faces fully engaged with planting seeds and getting their hands dirty this Children’s Gardening Week. A huge part of Davidsons Homes and Broadnook’s commitment to the local community is to invest in education in the local area.

“As a Garden Village, we also recognise the importance of encouraging the next generation to respect, love and nurture nature. What better way than by giving them their very own plant to look after at such a young age? We can’t wait to see the flowers in bloom on social media and to draw some competition winners!”

Broadnook Garden Village is designed to grow into a modern and thriving community that lives in harmony with nature in its beautiful Charnwood surroundings, as befits its Garden Village status. This sunflower planting initiative, led by Davidsons Homes at Broadnook Garden Village, is one of many upcoming connections Broadnook aims to make with local organisations and businesses as it fosters community spirit and encouraging a love for nature, especially among the youngest Charnwood residents.

Home building is now underway at Broadnook Garden Village, with the first residents expected to move in this autumn.

For more information about Broadnook Garden Village, its new houses and upcoming events, visit Broadnook.co.uk and follow @BroadnookGardenVillage on social media.