Grasshoppers in the Park
We are a proudly not-for-profit parent-led co-operative nursery, welcoming children from 2-5 years old.
Grasshoppers in the park is a warm, friendly, parent-led nursery, staffed and managed by highly qualified Early Years Educators who provide a nurturing and stimulating environment for your children.
We pride ourselves on our unique partnership with parents - while our staff handle the day-to-day, our active parent committee helps us maintain our welcoming, "home-away-from-home" feel that makes Grasshoppers so special.
Whether you want to be involved in our community or simply need the peace of mind that your child is in expert hands while you work, you’ll find a warm welcome here.
At Grasshoppers in the Park, we believe that every child arrives with a unique voice.
We see children as the subject of rights rather than needs and we regard children as competent, creative and curious, autonomous individuals who see potential and possibility in their surroundings.
We are particularly inspired by the work of Maria Montessori and the Reggio Emilia approach: their philosophy is based on the image of children with strong potential for development, who are learning about relationships and the rights and responsibilities that they entail. By embracing their "Hundred Languages", we ensure that every child—regardless of their ability or learning style—has a powerful way to be heard, seen, and understood.
Whether they are communicating through movement, art or play, we provide the space and materials for their ideas to take shape: this approach fosters a deep sense of agency and confidence in our children.
For us, it isn’t just about teaching—it’s about listening to the many ways our children speak to the world.
About our community.
Grasshoppers is more than just a nursery - it’s a collaborative community. We are unique because we give parents a voice in the decisions that shape their child’s environment.
Parent involvement at Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers is a parent-led cooperative nursery. This means that parents can help if they would like with the planning, operation and celebrations at the nursery. We believe that parent-involvement is what makes Grasshoppers such a unique and special place - in which families are invited to participate, play and make life-long friends. Once a Grasshopper, always a Grasshopper!
There are many ways parents can contribute to the nursery. From helping out a few times a year on our daily park trips, to attending parent’s meetings, supporting our social media outreach, putting your gardening skills to work, or doing the odd bit of laundry (we have a lot of socks!).
There are so many ways to get involved and we always welcome your skills, ideas and contributions.
We do understand that not everyone can participate and this is also fine. Whatever the level of participation everyone benefits from the unique community which is created within a parent-led nursery.
Our History
Grasshoppers Nursery originated in 2002, from an idea to create a space for a small group of parents to share childcare.
The original founders looked to form a safe and trusted starting point for their children with a focus on the Arts, the community and nature. Over time more parents came on board and Grasshoppers changed from an informal arrangement into a Nursery with professionals and families working together.
Our Manifesto
The aim of Grasshoppers is to provide a deeply enriching experience for every child while serving as a vibrant hub for our wider community. We provide a professional, child-led environment that thrives on the warmth of parental partnership.
A community of choice
At Grasshoppers, parents and practitioners work together, creating contexts in which children are able to explore and represent their ideas and thinking through their ‘hundred languages’: play, creativity, role-play, drama, music, literacy and the outdoor environment.
