Bear Hunting in Newport – Splash Splosh!

“We’re going on a bear hunt.

We’re going to catch a big one.

What a beautiful day!

We’re not scared”.

Children at all our nurseries enjoy splashing and sploshing outside in puddles and swaying through the famous rhyming story book “We’re going on a Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen.

So, you can imagine just how delighted our Newport team and children were when the characters from the ‘We’re Going on An Isle of Wight Bear Hunt’ promotion found their ‘forever homes’ to spend the rest of their days in our nursery garden, based at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport.

Visit Isle of Wight and Wightlink generously donated the cut-out characters Stan, Katie, Rosie, Max, the baby, Rufus the dog and, of course, the bear to our YMCA Newport nursery in November.

The beautifully drawn characters, as seen on Channel 4, and based on the best-selling original children’s picture book entertained thousands on board Wightlink ferries and at locations on the Isle of Wight throughout the summer of 2018.

They now entertain and help with the education of some of our youngest children.

Sharlotte Bishop, nursery manager of our Newport YMCA nursery, says “The children absolutely love the story and these three-dimensional characters just give it a whole new level for their imagination, it flourishes their learning.

“Early literary skills are so important and I can’t think of a better forever home for these characters than our garden. Children learn better when they’re outside, they’re comfortable and in the fresh air, and that’s exactly what we deliver across our YMCA nurseries on the Island.”

If you’ve not read the book, then we really do recommend it!  Why not pop your wellies on and go for your own adventure!