Nursery children pay their own special tribute to Sir Tom

Children from the three New City College nurseries – at Arbour Square, Hackney and Havering – were excited to pay their very own special tribute to the heroic Captain Sir Tom Moore on Thursday 4th February.

The children walked 100 steps around the beautiful forest gardens at Arbour Square, E1, and around the outside play area at Ardleigh Green, Havering. At Hackney campus, they walked in a line around the college grounds. They then clapped 100 times before proudly holding up colourful posters of Sir Tom.

The super happy toddlers beamed as they marched in a line, led by nursery staff, who encouraged them to count out loud to 100. After clapping for one hundred times, the children were told about the inspirational Captain and how he had recently reached 100 years old.

They heard how he had walked around his garden 100 times, and how the money he had raised was helping the doctors and nurses of the NHS to care for people the children might know who were sick.

Families and children who are not currently attending nursery were invited to participate too, in their own home or garden, and certificates were given to all the children who took part, whether at home or in the nursery.

Sue Clark, Group Curriculum Director at NCC for Health Sciences, Social Care and Early Years, said: “This was a fun and educational way for young children to remember Captain Sir Tom Moore, a gentleman who inspired the nation during this difficult year for all. We wanted to pay tribute to him but also acknowledge that even young children have been affected by the Covid pandemic. The children were very excited and really enjoyed joining in with the marching and counting and the parents thought it was a lovely thing to do.”

The college’s nurseries are currently open to support key workers and other families who need them, within lockdown guidelines.