Budding builders have been learning about construction thanks to a link-up between their nursery and a multi-million-pound project on their doorstep.
Children attending the University of Staffordshire’s Woodlands Day Nursery have been taking part in activities with Willmott Dixon Construction, who are building a £100 million new student village at the university’s Leek Road site.
The company created a special children’s construction site featuring toy diggers and hands-on activities, as well as donating a variety of construction-related books for babies and toddlers.
The children also donned hard hats and hi vis jackets to learn about diggers from one of the on-site builders, with some getting chance to sit in the cab of the excavator.
Amanda Sherratt, head of Childcare and Family Services at University of Staffordshire, said: “A partnership like this brings incredible value to our children and the wider community. By engaging young minds with the ongoing construction project, we’re not only sparking early interest in careers like construction and engineering but also creating fun, hands-on experiences that enhance learning.
“The children have loved exploring the construction-themed activities and seeing real machinery in action. It’s heartwarming to see how the Student Village project is being brought to life for our little ones, and we’re grateful for Willmott Dixon’s commitment to making a lasting impact in such meaningful ways.”
The construction company has also helped to create a fruit orchard and allotment for the children on the nursery site.
Jess Greig, information controller at Wilmott Dixon, who recently joined the children to read ‘Big Yellow Digger’, said: “We aim to cultivate a lasting interest in construction and the possibilities it might hold for their future, and promote sustainable practices from an early age, while having a lot of fun along the way.”
Willmott Dixon plans to continue collaborating with Woodlands Day Nursery throughout the two-year Student Village project.
Daily Focus previously reported that a quarter of Willmott Dixon’s workforce for this project, which will reach around 300 at its peak, will be recruited from within a 10-mile radius of the project – and half within 30 miles.
Due for completion in 2026, the new student village will blend contemporary and sustainable architecture with its location close to the university’s nature reserve and the River Trent.
The project is a collaboration between the university and Staffordshire Campus Living: a partnership created by Hochtief PPP Solutions UK and Ireland and Plenary, supported by Pinnacle Group, Wilmott Dixon Construction, and Corstorphine and Wright.
