MERRY-Go-Round Preschoolers have have received a Christmas gift of a brand new cooker, allowing them to cook tasty dishes.

Chairman, Vicky Harris said: ‘The children have already been busy cooking some tasty dishes. The cheese straws and tuna pasties are top of the smelliest bakes so far.

‘Cooking with the children is one of the many activities that we do at Merry-Go-Round. We understand children are curious about the world and how and why things happen. So, a small oven with a see-through door was greatly welcomed.

‘The children were fascinated to see their apple muffins rise in front of their eyes.’

The cooker was one of the things bought from the funds raised at the Christmas Party Event, held at the Tower Inn, Slapton, which raised over £1,600 for Merry-Go-Round.

Children can learn and practice a wide range of skills through cooking: turn taking, sharing, awareness of weight and accuracy of measuring and it promotes healthy choices and supports understanding of where food comes from.

Cooking is a regular activity at Merry-Go-Round, especially on a Tuesday when Moria, their Forest School Practitioner, brings the children back from their adventurous outdoor activities. They have experienced collecting wind fall apples and then making and tasting delicious apple muffins.

The children were bewildered when they were encouraged to add flowers: rosemary and nasturtiums to their scone mixtures - all of which Kevin Hay, one of the key workers at Merry-Go-Round, thoroughly enjoyed.

Vicky Harris added: ‘It is wonderful to see the children so excited and animated about the foods they are making. Merry-Go-Round are most definitely promoting an interest in trying different foods and cooking has become a popular activity among our mini chefs.’

If you are interested in your child joining Merry-Go-Round Preschool, or would like to go for a visit please contact Emma or Dani on 01548 581440 or email: [email protected]. Staff will be only to happy to help. Free taster sessions for toddlers and their parents will take place on Friday, January 27, and Monday, January 30, between 10am and 12pm.