Children and staff at a Harpenden nursery celebrated the biggest event in the Chinese calendar by arranging a string of events.

Busy Bees at Rothamsted Lodge, Hatching Green, celebrated the Chinese New Year on January 31, by discussing how the names of the years came into place originally.

The children also enjoyed completing Chinese writing, making letters for loved ones, writing Chinese numbers and making Horse masks, lanterns, changing the role play area into a Chinese restaurant and sequencing lanterns and dragons into size order.

The nursery’s Chef, Julia Eaton, also put together a menu of freshly prepared traditional Chinese foods, including Chinese noodles and sweet and sour chicken, allowing the children to not only enjoy a delicious lunch but also explore new tastes.

Busy Bees manager Vicki Powell said: "Celebrating the Chinese New Year is a fun way to learn about new cultures for the children, and covers many different topics. We explore the bright vibrant colours of Chinese festivals and the characteristics of the different animals found in the Chinese calendar.

"The children enjoyed stories about Chinese dragons and taking part in the various activities we planned. It’s been a great success.

"Children learn about numerous cultures and festivals here at the nursery. They love cultural occasions because they get to celebrate together and take part in lots of fun activities."