Nursery World's Noticeboard - a visit from the Queen, messy play and lots more

A ROYAL VISIT

Children from Grange Day Nursery in Mitcham, London went to catch a glimpse of the Queen who was on a visit to the area. The children made special flags to wave and welcome the Queen.

HOW DOES MY GARDEN GROW?

Verwood Day Nursery in Dorset welcomed a visit from the editor of Amateur Gardening weekly magazine, Kris Collins, who came to help the children plant seed and water flowers and greenery.

'FIVE A DAY'

Children from White Post Alphabet House Day Nursery in Newark, Nottingham, visited Maxey's Farm Shop in Kirklington. They were greeted by a man created out of vegetables and encouraged to guess what he was made of, before exploring the different vegetables for sale at the shop and a take part in a food tasting session. At the end of the trip, the children were able to choose three pieces of fruit to take away with them.

A DOUBLE CELEBRATION

Bramford Pre-school Playgroup in Ipswich, Suffolk, has two reasons to celebrate after the installation of a new wall-mounted canopy at the setting and achieving an outstanding rating in their recent Ofsted inspection. The canopy was funded by a grant from Suffolk County Council and an Easter fundraising event at the pre-school.

DEDICATED STAFF

Three members of staff at Darlington's Just learning Nursery are celebrating a significant milestone in their careers. Cook Sharon Johnson, third-in-charge Deborah Murthar, and nursery officer Diane Simpson are all approaching their 15th anniversaries at the nursery. Nursery manager Suzanne Cartwright-Powton said, 'To have such dedicated members of staff within the nursery is amazing. Their commitment to their work is absolutely commendable; each and every one of them is totally dedicated to this nursery and the children who attend.'

CHICK, CHICK, CHICK,CHICK, CHICKEN

Lincolnshire Montessori in Caistor, Lincolnshire and Careshare Nursery in Ayr welcomed some new additions to their settings - baby chicks. Children at the Careshare Nursery gave their chicks names, while at Lincolnshire Montessori children drew pictures of their baby chickens.

LITTLE CRITTERS

Pre-school children at Kiddi Caru's International Day Nursery in Earl's Court, London were treated to a visit from the Zoolab, which brought with them a menagerie of minibeasts for everyone to meet, including frogs, snails and millipedes.

PAINTING BABIES

Babies at Montagu Square Day Nursery in Eynesbury, Cambridgeshire, enjoyed an afternoon of messy play. The activity, which had an under the sea theme, was inspired by one child's interest in fish.

DEUTSCHE DAY

Little Acorns Day Nursery in Rothwell, Leeds, held a German day. The children look at German artefacts and sampled traditional food.

Nursery manager Julie Barber said that one girl brought in chocolate given to her by her German grandparents.

TRAIN TO GAIN

The Children's House in Aberdeen is one of the first training companies in Scotland to deliver the Level 9 Professional Development Award in Childhood Practice.

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