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Inspiring fire

Children from Ashbridge School and Nursery in Hutton, Preston, madetheir own 'fire engine' with inspiration from a visit by one child'sfather, who works as a fireman.

- Kings of the castle

Staff at Step by Step nursery in Glasgow organised a trip to EdinburghCastle as part of their All About Scotland project. The children watchedthe castle's guard fire a gun and even saw Princess Anne, who made anunpublicised visit.

- Cling film artists

Children at the Blue House Day Nursery and Pre-School in Croydon hadartistic fun by sandwiching paint between two layers of clingfilm,removing the top layer and placing a piece of paper over it.

- For Children in Need

More settings have reported how they raised money for Children in Needlast month. Children's Choice Nursery in Monkseaton, Tyne and Wear, helda sponsored bounce, kidsunlimited in North Cheam, Surrey, had a fun dayof themed activities, and kidsunlimited in Highbury, London held asponsored walk.

- Happy grasshoppers

Grasshoppers in the Park nursery, based in St Thomas' Church in StamfordHill, London, celebrated its tenth anniversary with a party for past andpresent children and staff. The parent-run setting was set up in 2000following the closure of three nurseries in the area.

- Our own Scarecrow

Children at the Spinney Day Nursery in Hoole, Chester, made a scarecrowto keep the birds from eating the seeds they had planted in theirgarden. Nursery practitioner Kate Carter said, 'The idea originally camefrom the children learning the song "Dingle Dangle Scarecrow". It alsoencouraged discussions about the environment and the wildlife aroundthem.'

- Garden of learning

Children at Alphabet House Day Nursery in West Bridgford, Nottingham,enjoyed a visit by community gardener Rachel Hemmings to learn how foodis grown. They also went on a bug hunt and did tree bark rubbings.

NEW OPENINGS

Peppa on the premises

Breakspeare Community Pre-School in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire,celebrated the opening of purpose-built premises with a visit by PeppaPig. The pre-school, which has operated from the local Methodist churchhall for 25 years, will share its home with Abbots Langley children'scentre.

Photo of the week

Children from Ringwood Day Nursery in Hampshire went back to basics andmade their own apple juice. Deputy manager Melanie Lockyer said, 'Thechildren pressed apples harvested from the nursery orchard to makedelicious juice, which they all enjoyed tasting.'

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The best photo of the week will win 30 worth of books andposters