Safety and sirens
Children at Daisy Chain Childcare in Adel, Leeds, had a memorable visitfrom the local police who came to the nursery to talk about road safetyand stranger danger. Nursery manager Julie Anderson said, 'The childrenreally enjoyed the visit, but the main focus of their attention wassitting in the police van and listening to the siren!'
PlayWorkers honour
Playworkers from the north-east were honoured at a special event by theSunderland-based training organisation ETEC Development Trust lastweek.
A total of 22 learners were celebrated, six of whom successfullycompleted playwork qualifications.
Friday faces
Staff at Stanlaw Abbey Community Nursery in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire,held a spontaneous 'Fun Friday' inspired by the children's interests.They used face paints to turn the children into tigers, ice queens andthe bear from Nick Bland's book The Very Cranky Bear.
Toddling pirates
Children at Ruspini House Pre-School at the Royal Masonic School forGirls in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, did a Barnardos Big Toddle lastmonth dressed as pirates. They walked around the school using telescopesto hunt for treasure.
Not so Creepy Crawlies
Children at Moonacre Montessori Nursery in Verwood, Dorset, got to holdand stroke rats, snakes, tarantulas and cockroaches when the MinibeastRoad Show paid them a visit.
Top of the hill
Staff at Hilltop Nursery School in King's Park, Glasgow, were delightedto gain an outstanding report from HMIE inspectors. Head teacherJacqueline Kelly said, 'I am absolutely thrilled that the collaborativework of staff, parents and children has warranted such a good report.The staff work tirelessly to ensure that we continue to sustain veryhigh standards and are always enthusiastic about taking forward newinitiatives.'
In Stock
Eco animals
A new website aims to teach pre-school children about caring for theenvironment and each other. Called chuck-the-eco-duck, the site featuresgames, posters, resources and an animated series following Chuck and hisfriends Doodle the Cockerel and Bert the Albatross as they try to makethe world a greener and kinder place. Chuck was enlisted by the SwiftConservation Group to help raise awareness of the decline of thesebirds. Visit www.chuck-the-eco-duck.com.
Events
Support for parents
Parenting charity NCT is inviting early years settings to register tohost a Cheeky Monkeys Tea Party this summer. Money raised from theparties will go towards the NCT's new postnatal helpline, which willoffer support to mothers and fathers in the early stages of becomingparents. Registration is open until July and those who register willreceive a party pack full of ideas, stickers, balloons and monkey themedgames.Visit www.nct.org.uk/cheekymonkeys.
Photo of the Week: It was all aboard at Busy Bears Children's DayNursery in Durham when the children, following interests inspired bytheir learning, went on a journey by a train they had created from boxesand crates.
Do you have a story to tell? Share it with us, sending along yourcontact details, at news.nw@haymarket.com. The best photo of the weekwill win 30 worth of children's books.
