Sconce Hills Preschool Playgroup, Newark, hosts Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service as part of series of education days

Children at a preschool have had the chance to get up close to animals and look around a fire engine during a series of educational days.

Sconce Hills Preschool Playgroup, a parent committee-run preschool based at Christchurch Hall, Boundary Road, has put on a range of fun and informative sessions for the children, aged between two and school age, in its care.

The latest, on Wednesday, June 19, saw firefighters from Newark Fire Station bring one of their engines to the preschool — and the youngsters even got an opportunity to climb inside the cab.

Sam Dell, acting deputy manager at Sconce Hills, said: “They’ve been learning all about people who help and what they do and dressing up, and we’ve also learnt about fire safety.

“This is one of many educational days, we’ve had pet therapy where a lot of exotic animals came in, we’ve got the police coming in a couple of weeks, and they are also starting yoga.

“There’s lots going on.”

As well as sitting in the cab, the children learnt about the different equipment on the engine, what kind of emergencies Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service attend, and had a go at using the hoses.

The preschool operates as a charity, and also offers funded places. No matter which days children attend, they are always welcome to come along with their parents for the educational sessions to ensure they get the same opportunities.

“We’ve got lots of availability,” Sam added.

“We’re a big part of the community here, we just give them opportunities they might not have otherwise.”