Children won't be allowed to enjoy water games, sandpits or playdough - when the UK's largest nursery chain reopens next month.

Busy Bees, which has a site in Plymouth, has outlined how it plans to get children playing and working safely again when it reopens more branches on June 1.

Children will not be required to play in hoops laid or drawn on the floor, as has been speculated may happen in some schools.

Instead they will be divided into close friendship groups to limit the number of others they come into contact with.

While the amount of space kids will have to explore inside will be less than normal as a result, more time will be spent outdoors.

All children and staff will have their temperature checked upon arrival, and those families waiting to enter the nursery will be asked to stand two metres apart at drop off and pick up.

Regular temperature checks for both children and team members will continue throughout the day, as will frequent handwashing and disinfecting of communal areas.

Kids will only be asked to wear face masks for temperature checks and not for the rest of the day.

Playdough, sandpits and water games will be banned however, in a bid to stem the spread of the deadly bug.

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Busy Bees, which has 378 centres across the UK, has kept 100 open to cater for the families of key workers and vulnerable children.

Emily Brimson-Keight, head of safety at Busy Bees, told Wigan Today : “There is much speculation about how life after lockdown could look in nurseries and schools, and parents are understandably very anxious.

"The biggest priority for us is, and always will be, the safety, welfare and happiness of the children in our care."

She added: “Now the lockdown is set to be relaxed, we’re keen to offer assurance and debunk the myths about the new normal for parents at this unique time, and are confident our plans ensure the safety and crucially, the development and happiness of children when we welcome them back.”