A kind-hearted Mansfield schoolgirl has left a legacy for her former nursery by raising funds to improve its garden.

Four-year-old Arabella Guy donated £100 from a plant sale to say thank you to staff at Little Millers Day Nursery before she left to start school.

Arabella, who attended the nursery on the site of King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, for three years, loves the outdoors and grows plants at home with her parents, Julia and Jonathon Guy.

The family had an abundance of plants in their garden and decided to hold a plant sale to say thank you for taking good care of Arabella.
Children at the nursery were involved in deciding what to buy with the money. They chose outdoor cushions, a rug and lights for a chill-out area, wind chimes, a zip-up greenhouse, items for a fairy garden, plants, and flowers.

At the plant sale on the family’s drive, Arabella was keen to talk neighbours and passers-by into buying her favourite plant, bunny tail grass.

She said: “I really loved selling all the plants I have grown and talking to people when they came to buy them. I am happy I got to do something nice for my nursery and will miss it when I go to ‘big’ school.”

Julia and Jonathon added: “The care given to Arabella while at Little Millers has been exceptional, right from the beginning. Arabella will really miss the nursery staff, especially those in the Wise Owls room. The plant sale was just our way of showing our appreciation.”

Nursery manager Deborah Hall said: “The money raised by Arabella has enabled the nursery to purchase items to extend the garden and growing area, which has been a big interest for the children recently.

“Arabella’s donation was a lovely gesture and very much appreciated. It has enabled the children to really engage with our growing theme.”

Little Millers Day Nursery, recently rated Good in all areas by Ofsted, provides childcare for children from the ages of six weeks to five years. It is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm and can be used by NHS employees and the public. For more information and to discuss joining the Little Millers family, contact Samantha Wyatt, deputy nursery manager at Little Millers, by calling 01623 622515 ext 3885 or email [email protected].

Pictured is Arabella Guy with her mother, Julia Guy, and the zip-up greenhouse bought for the nursery.