Partou Gingerbread House Day Nursery and Pre-School in South Croydon has celebrated World Art Day by hosting a vibrant exhibition showcasing the creativity of babies and pre-school children.
The event centred on a variety of hands-on activities that encouraged early artistic expression, with babies exploring sensory play through sticking materials, drawing, and mark making with glue.
Pre-school children based their artwork on a variety of different artists and styles of art, experimenting with colours, patterns and textures while expressing their own ideas.
Set in an impressive three-storey building close to Sanderstead and Purley Oaks railway stations, Partou Gingerbread House welcomes children aged from six months to five years old.
Its welcoming ‘home-from-home’ indoor learning environment is complemented by a stunning outdoor space featuring grass, nature and paved areas together with a large mud kitchen and vegetable patch.
Claire Preece, Partou Gingerbread House Nursery Manager, said:
“We decided to host the event because we strongly believe that art plays a vital role in early childhood development.
“From a very young age, children use creative experiences to explore the world around them and express their thoughts, feelings and ideas. Our World Art Day exhibition celebrated this by giving babies and pre-school children the opportunity to experiment with colours, textures, and materials in a practical and meaningful way. Whether it was a baby exploring sensory mark making or a pre-school child taking inspiration from well-known artists, each piece reflected individuality, imagination and growth.
“We were also delighted to invite families to be part of the experience, strengthening that important connection between home and setting, and allowing them to celebrate their children’s creativity together.
“Events like this highlight the importance of creativity within early education, supporting key areas of learning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage, including expressive arts and design, communication, and physical development. Most importantly, it reminds us that art is not just about the final product, but about the joy, confidence and self-expression children gain along the way.
“We are incredibly proud of all our children, and the enthusiasm and creativity they demonstrated throughout this project.”
Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said:
“At a time when early education is often focused on outcomes, this event showcased how babies and pre-school children learn best through exploration, play and self-expression.
“By celebrating even the youngest children as artists, the Partou Gingerbread House team emphasised the importance of creative experiences in building confidence, communication skills and emotional wellbeing.
“The inclusion of families also reflects the importance of community and partnership in early years education and demonstrates how the setting is nurturing imagination and inspiring the next generation.”
