- Wedding bells
Sparklers Nursery in Gretna, Dumfriesshire, held a mock wedding ceremonyfor the children sparked by the interest of one child whose parents aregetting married this summer. The project involved the local community inthe town traditionally famous for runaway marriages. Parents andgrandparents helped to provide outfits, entertainment and a church tohold the ceremony, and at a reception in the nursery everyone watchedthe service on video.
- Let's go to the zoo
Northern Ireland membership organisation Early Years invited 1,200pre-school children to take part in their annual Zoo Day at BelfastZoological Gardens for a hands-on visit.
- 20 years on
Children, staff and parents at Burnley Le Monde Petit Day Nurserycelebrated the setting's 20th anniversary with a party featuring abouncy castle, face painting, balloon modelling and a magic show bychildren's entertainer CJ Taz. There was also a 'where are you now'display with pictures of past pupils and staff. Founder and owner PeterHindle said, 'I am proud of our professional team and thank all thosewho have helped in the success of the nursery over the 20 years.'
- Bigger and better
Hartlebury Pre-School's new premises, in the grounds of Hartlebury C ofE Primary School in Worcestershire, was officially opened this month bythe Mayor of Stourport, John Holden. A special guest at the event wasSue Smith, who was the supervisor when the pre-school first opened in1968. The pre-school, originally held at the village hall, waited twoyears to move to new premises after encountering opposition overplanning permission.
- Toddle Waddle
Forres Sandle Manor Pre-prep in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, welcomed Montythe Duck to help them take part in the Meningitis Trust's Toddle Waddle.Children and their parents raised over 200.
- Team cookery
Children at Busy Bees Nursery in Milton Keynes have been taking part inthe nursery chain's new scheme 'Cooking with me', which encourageschildren to enjoy preparing food from an early age. The scheme promotesteamwork as children work together to create new dishes and exploreother activities that also have cooking themes.
- Recipe for Success
Lexden Lodge Kindergarten in Colchester, Essex, was turned into a chef'sworkshop when children compiled a recipe book listing all theirfavourite meals served at the setting. The decision to create the bookfollowed requests from parents for copies of the nursery recipes.Kindergarten manager Angela McQuitty said, 'The children love our cookedfood so much that the parents wanted to have the recipes at home.Children are now enjoying the cooking both in nursery and at home thanksto the book, so everyone is winning.'
- News grows on trees
Moonacre Montessori Nursery in Verwood, Dorset, has introduced a NewsTree where children and parents can report to their friends and nurseryvisitors what they did over the weekend or at home. Nursery managerRhona McAdam said, 'The children and parents can take an "apple" fromthe tree and write their activity on it to share with the nursery. Thispromotes our planning and links the children's learning to theirexperiences.'
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
The playground at Chalfont St Peter Montessori School in Buckinghamshirewas turned into a farmyard when Appreciating Animals mobile farm came tovisit. Children cuddled and fed the geese, chickens, ferrets and rats,and milked the goat. Deputy principal Debbie Lomax said, 'The farmvisits us every year and it is a highlight in our calendar. The visitbacks up what the children are learning about in the classroom, which isanimal families and the chicken lifecycle.'
- The best photo of the week will win 30 worth of children'sbooks
- Do you have a story to tell? Share it with us, sending along yourcontact details, at news.nw@haymarket.com.
