A WIRRAL nursery provider has unveiled a dance class programme with Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt after concerns about the negative impact of lockdown on children.

The childcare provider, Busy Bees, which has nurseries in the borough, decided to implement the new, fun sessions after finding that with an increased amount of time at home, many parents fear their children will feel nervous meeting new people and being in big groups.

The 'Tiny Dancers' initiative, as part of its increased focus on mental wellbeing.

Filled with engaging, easy and imaginative dance activities, the programme aims to help children to burn off any nervous energy, have fun, and make new friends in the process – ultimately making the settling in period easier.

To launch Tiny Dancers, Busy Bees teamed up with Kimberly Wyatt, who is part of the American all-girl pop group The Pussycat Dolls, an actress on CBBC's Almost Never and a judge on Sky 1's Got to Dance.

Kimberly has created several new dance routines for children in the UK to enjoy, supporting Busy Bees' existing dance programme, Dance with Buzz, which is available for both its centres and families to enjoy.

Deena Billings, early years expert at Busy Bees, which carried out the study said: "There is no doubt the pandemic has had an impact on the nation's children, and we understand that there's an increased need for childcare providers, such as ourselves, to ensure we are supporting their wellbeing.

"For children under five, the opportunity to do this comes in the form of play, and we have a number of programmes at Busy Bees that help to promote wellbeing, including yoga, dance and music games.

"The ‘Tiny Dancers’ initiative will provide yet another tool for us support children as they begin to join our nurseries for the first time, and we’re delighted to make this available to all childcare providers and families in the UK to make use of too."

Kimberly said: "I'm thrilled to have partnered with Busy Bees to launch the Tiny Dancers programme.

"Dance is hugely beneficial in getting children moving, laughing and feeling good, which is why it’s the perfect activity to support wellbeing.

"Dance is both universal and inclusive, and there's no right or wrong way to do it, which is why it’s so fantastic for the early years.

"It's also a wonderful tool for exploring imagination and forming connections with others - when everyone’s dancing together and sharing that immersive moment, it helps to build relationships and break the ice, which can sometimes be difficult for young children when meeting new people."

To try these dance moves out at home, visit bit.ly/tinydancers21