Kung Hei Fat Choy

Shotley Bridge Nursery School in Durham (above) visited The Pavilion Cantonese restaurant in Iveston, where they sampled Chinese food and performed a lion dance for staff. Children were given red and gold miniature sheep to mark the occasion and exchanged red envelopes –an ancient Chinese tradition to bring good luck in the new year.

Little Acorns Urmston Nursery in Manchester have also made decorations and tasted traditional Chinese snacks. Deputy manager Jade Bayliss said, “The children have been making Chinese lanterns and red envelopes with gold coins in to take home, so every child that was in nursery yesterday received a red envelope in to bring them good luck. We have had a great week!”

Children at another Little Acorns nursery in Mirfield, West Yorkshire made a dragon from junk. Four-year-old Chloe Ryczek said, “We just made the dragon by sticking boxes together and painting it.” They also learnt how to write their names in Chinese and how to say hello (Nin Hao).

Bright Horizons Mount Vernon Nursery in Middlesex and Grena Road Nursery in Richmond, both made impressive dragons and took part in various Chinese related activities.