A CHILDREN'S nursery has gone back to basics – by abandoning plastic toys in favour of everyday objects for its toddlers.

Lincolnshire Montessori, based at the former Top House, in Caistor, has set up a new parent and toddler group, encouraging young children to explore the world through real items rather than commercial toys.

The group, called Treasure Baskets, is the brainchild of director Sylvia Archer, who wanted to provide very young children with a means of making sense of the world around them with natural materials.

She said: "Out go the plastic toys. They actually have very little value for a developing toddler.

"Children of a few months old need to make sense of the world around them in relation to real, sensorial objects.

"Something as simple as the smell of a lemon, the feel of real sponge or wooden spoon, or the sound of dried peas in a can is far more interesting to a child."

The group meets weekly in the newly-refurbished premises, in Caistor, and has been supported by Lincolnshire County Council.