More monkey business at Durrell

Wednesday 21 January 2015

Dozens of little ones could soon be enjoying a day out at Jersey’s world famous wildlife park every day.

Plans have gone in to convert one of Durrell’s buildings into The Cheeky Monkeys Nursery – catering for little monkeys of the human kind!

The nursery opening in the autumn will have around fifty full and part time places for children aged from three months to five years and will be run by Juliet Pearmain who has over 20 years’ childcare experience.

She plans to use the park’s grounds to inspire the youngsters with her child-led approach to nurturing them.

Mrs Pearmain said: “This is a project that I am absolutely passionate about. The location of the nursery is simply perfect; what better environment could there be for a child to learn, develop and experience?”

“We have access to a sizeable area of wonderful garden which provides not only a safe area for play but we will also have scope for a vegetable patch with fruit trees, an on-site forest school facility, activity equipment and we’re hoping to include a tube slide from the first floor level which means the children can slide directly into the garden – great fun! Plus of course the children can access the Wildlife Park on a daily basis and we hope to get involved in as many park activities as possible.”

Durrell hope the new commercial venture will encourage a new generation of conservationists.

The Trust’s CEO Oliver Johnson said: “We have trained nearly 4000 conservationists in our Academy and work with undergraduates and postgraduates on an on-going basis. 5000 Jersey schoolchildren came through our Education Department and the Park last year. So this venture completes the set – a natural extension to Durrell’s effort to increase young peoples’ awareness of wildlife and its conservation. We are able to offer a great setting for a nursery, and in Juliet have found the ideal partner.”

You can find out more by emailing cheekymonkeys@durrell.org