A Dalton nursery has opened a sensory room for its children thanks to funding from a Lake District hotel group.

Chapel Street Infants and Nursery School converted an existing space into the sensory room after receiving a £5,000 donation from English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues.

The school also raised additional funds through various activities to cover the overall cost of the project.

The new room provides a calm, stimulating environment for children to engage in educational activities focusing on touch, sight, sound, and smell.

It also aims to build on abstract senses such as space, time, togetherness, and wellbeing.

Scott Macmillan, the school's headteacher, said: "We recognised the need to provide a sensory room to assist and nurture our infant and nursery school pupils’ learning and development.

"Mental health and wellbeing are at the core of our new curriculum and this facility will be used by every child in school.

"Sensory learning is a crucial aspect of their development through early pre-school and toddler years, so it’s great to see the sensory room up and running thanks to the help of local initiatives like Sam’s Club."

Hotel mascot Sam the Dog, was the guest of honour at the opening (Image: Osprey Communications) The hotel group’s mascot Sam the Dog was guest of honour at the opening of the facility.

Installed by Creative Activity, the room features a range of equipment including bubble tubes, vibrating pads, a multi-surface wall area, multi-coloured mirrors, an infinity mirror, sensory floor tiles, a sound-reactive rainbow wall, and a sensory tent.

The donation from English Lakes Hotels was made through its Sam’s Club Charity, which supports charities and good causes in the area.

The school also received donations from the Furness Building Society, Anchor Court Residents, Furness Rotary Club, and South Lakeland Masonic Boxing Club.

Teresa Lawrence from English Lakes Hotels, said: "We are proud to be part of bringing this sensory room to life, providing a wonderful space for the children's development.

"It is incredibly rewarding to see our Sam's Club Charity making a positive impact in the local community."

The school hosted several fundraising events including movie nights, non-uniform days, and a family bingo evening at the Wellington pub in Dalton, which raised nearly £3,000.

One parent even undertook a skydive at Flookburgh, raising a further £1,300.

The total raised was £11,500, which not only paid for the sensory room but also for additional equipment and furniture in the adjoining Burrow, a nurture room where children can engage in activities such as baking, music, and creative lessons, all linked to emotional wellbeing.

The school has put up a commemorative plaque on the door of the sensory room, acknowledging all those who contributed their funds and time.

Electrical and joinery work was completed by AC Electric and Graham Barnes respectively.

Mr Macmillan spent a weekend painting the new facility to enhance the colours in the room, and his father-in-law, Edward Young, helped remove some worktops to create more floor space.

Sensory rooms 'underpin' personal, social, and emotional development, and can be particularly valuable in allowing children with different levels of ability to have a more 'positive influence' on their surrounding environment.