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Early years settings got in the festive spirit last month. Lollipop Day Nursery in Droylsden, Manchester (top), welcomed three visiting reindeer, courtesy of Tarvin Sands Reindeer Centre. Children from Little Oaks Nursery in Penn, Buckinghamshire (middle) put on a nativity play for over 200 parents and friends. Children baked Norwegian yule logs at Early Years Childcare in Hove, Sussex (bottom), as part of learning about how Christmas is celebrated in various countries. Busy Bees nursery at Milton Keynes Hospital gave a carol concert for parents, accompanied by the Marsh Gibbon Silver Band.

Outstanding weekend

First Class Nurseries in Bridgwater, Somerset, celebrated its second consecutive 'outstanding' Ofsted inspection with a staff weekend in Bristol, where the team enjoyed a meal at Raymond Blanc's restaurant, Brasserie Blanc.

Diversity of fun

Kidsunlimited Mary Seacole Nursery in Islington, London, celebrated ethnic diversity with a special day shared with parents. Children performed dances in Bollywood and African styles, acted out the story of 'Handa's Surprise', and sampled traditional foods.

Rugby stars

Children from Alphabet House Day Nursery in Beeston, Nottingham, showed their support for Nottingham Rugby Club with a rugby-themed day where they dressed in rugby kit and learned new skills from some of the team's players.

Fly the Green Flag

Doune Nursery in Stirling has won a Green Flag award from Eco-Schools in Scotland. Assessors were impressed with the nursery's range of environmental initiatives, including an eco garden of fruit and vegetables, a bug hotel for minibeasts, and an annual family gardening day.

How to compost

Buttercup Nurseries and Bullion Lane Children's Centre in County Durham were visited by the BBC 'Gardener's World' presenter Joe Swift so children could learn about home composting. Nursery manager Dawn Crosby said, 'It was a very wet and hands-on day where the children were able to collect items to place into the compost bin and start the process of composting.'

Inspiring Charity

London Early Years Foundation social enterprise nursery raised £500 for its Christmas charity, War Child. Last year three LEYF employees volunteered for War Child, working in a centre caring for children in Uganda. Inspired by their stories and commitment, LEYF is now hoping to build a long-term relationship with the charity. To learn about the charity's work or to make a donation, visit www.warchild.org.uk.

Competition

Children across the country are being encouraged to show their artistic side and take part in this year's National Doodle Day on 11 February to raise money for Epilepsy Action and The Neurofibromatosis association.

The winners of the competition will win either £150 (nursery) or £250 (school) of equipment or vouchers and have their work displayed in the Doodle Hall of Fame.

- To register for an organiser's pack containing hints, tips and template doodle cards visit www.nationaldoodleday.org.uk

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Father Christmas and his reindeer Rudolph called in at Kidorable childminding services in Braintree, Essex, at the invitation of childminder Chris Rogers for Christmas party day. Photos were taken of all the children and given to their parents to keep.

- Do you have a story to tell? Share it with us at news.nw@haymarket.com.

The best photo of the week will win £30 worth of books and posters