Nursery World - Play area rises from ashes

A childcare centre attacked by arsonists has rebuilt its outdoor area with help from the local community in Edinburgh.

Cowgate Under-Fives Centre was purpose-built in 2002 and won a top prizeat the Edinburgh Architectural Association awards. Last October theoutdoor playhouse and three rowan trees were burned down byarsonists.

Fundraising by the community brought in 6,000 for refurbishment.An official re-opening party for the newly christened 'Willow House' washeld last Thursday as a way to thank the parents, staff and localresidents for their contribution.

Cowgate manager Lynn McNair said, 'It could have been something thatwent sour, to be honest. What was missing from inside the house seemedto really concern the children. They couldn't understand that thesethings were really gone.

'We realised that this was a lesson we would have to teach the childrenabout life, that bad things will happen and it is the way people respondto them that is important. We taught them to look at the positive thingsthat have come out of it.'

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