The best photo of the week will win 40 worth of children'sbooks.
PEOPLE AND PLACES
Inclusive honours
A 4.5m school and children's centre has beaten internationalcompetition to win a Judges' Special award for its inclusiveenvironment. The New Bewerley Community School and Children's Centre,created last year from the amalgamation of two primary schools inBeeston, Leeds, was honoured in the Royal Institute of CharteredSurveyors Awards 2007. It offers 78 daycare places, after-school careand a Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre.
Setting the scene
Staff at Stepping Stones Nursery in Ashton, Preston, Lancashire, had ahelping hand from the Mayor of Preston, Christine Abram, and localparents in creating a festive winter scene for the children. The familyday involved decorating a Christmas tree, playing with snow and ice, andreading stories.
Trusty toddlers
Children from Daisy Chain Nursery in Maldon, Essex (pictured), madetheir way around the local Promenade Park in a sponsored 'toddle waddle'to raise more than 726 for the Meningitis Trust. Forty children,the youngest just 17 months, took part in the event.
IN STOCK
New for down syndrome
The Down Syndrome Educational Trust has produced a new DVD, 'Speech andLanguage Activities for Pre-school Children with Down Syndrome', as wellas launching a sponsored reading initiative for nurseries and schoolscalled Up For Reading. Well-known authors and illustrators backing thescheme include Lucy Cousins and Quentin Blake. For more informationvisit www.downsed.org and www.up-for-reading.org.
Watch those birds
Nursery children are being encouraged to join in the RSPB's Big SchoolsBirdwatch, part of the world's biggest bird survey, from 21 January to 1February. Last year more than 40,000 children took part, some as youngas three years, spotting more than 40 different species. For a freeactivity pack, a colour poster to help identify the birds sighted, acounting chart and a survey form, visit www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch orcall 0870 055 5761. A competition that can be entered via the website isoffering prizes including binoculars and bird boxes for all those whotake part in the Birdwatch.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
A centre with fizz
Violet Melchett Children's Centre in Chelsea, London, celebrated itsofficial opening with a guest appearance from children's televisioncharacter Fizz from the Tweenies. The setting has been running servicesfor disadvantaged families in the area for several decades and it is thefifth to be designated a children's centre in the London borough ofKensington and Chelsea.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Children took on the role of Santa as they prepared packages at an'Operation Christmas Child' collection at Hollyfield Pre-School Nurseryin Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. They collected 50 shoeboxes of giftsto be sent around the world to less fortunate children, as part of aproject on poverty.
