Partou Hilltops Day Nursery and Pre-School in Chorley is set to launch a new initiative to encourage young children and their families to embrace the joy of reading. Starting on Monday, 14 October, the nursery will host free story time sessions at Chorley Library for children aged 0-4. These half-hour sessions will run fortnightly at 10am and continue until Monday, 21 July 2025.
Jo Hindle, Nursery Manager at Partou Hilltops, will lead the interactive storytelling sessions. Hindle, who is passionate about nurturing early childhood literacy, said: “We are thrilled to be reaching out to the wider community with this initiative. At Partou Hilltops, we believe in making books an integral part of every activity, helping children discover a love for reading in all aspects of their lives.”
She explained how books play a key role in the nursery’s daily routine, seamlessly integrated into each area of play. For instance, children in the construction area might be introduced to books about building, while those in the role-play section may explore stories about cooking or home life. “Our aim is to foster curiosity and imagination through books, and we’re excited to bring this ethos to the children and families of Chorley,” Hindle added.
Samantha Rhodes, Managing Director of Partou, emphasised the importance of books in early childhood development. “While screens are a significant part of modern life, it is through books that children truly ignite their imaginations,” Rhodes said. “At Partou, we ensure that books are present in nearly every aspect of a child’s day, from playtime to quiet reading corners. It’s wonderful that our team at Hilltops is bringing this initiative to Chorley Library, and we hope it will receive a positive response from local families.”
Partou Hilltops Nursery and Pre-School, located in a converted Georgian mansion on Heapey Road, is known for providing exceptional childcare and education. With spacious indoor play areas and a stunning outdoor space surrounded by open fields, the nursery creates a ‘home from home’ environment where children’s personalities and interests are celebrated.
The new story time sessions are an extension of the nursery’s ethos, aiming to foster a love of reading not just within their setting but throughout the local community. By holding these sessions in an iconic Chorley venue like the library, Partou Hilltops hopes to make books more accessible and enjoyable for local families, particularly those with young children.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to bring their little ones to join the sessions, which will include a mix of storytelling, interactive activities, and exploration of new books. The initiative is part of the nursery’s broader mission to engage with the community and support early childhood education in fun and meaningful ways.
For more information about the story time sessions, families can contact Partou Hilltops or visit Chorley Library.