Nursery World's Noticeboard - Olympic events, graduations and Ofsted outstanding

A FOND FAREWELL

Busy Bees Day Nursery in Oldbrook, Milton Keynes (top) and First Steps Nursery in Yateley, Hampshire  (bottom) held graduation ceremonies to say goodbye to their pre-school children leaving to start school in September.

FAMILY STORYTELLING WORKSHOP

London Early Years Nursery at Furze Children's Centre in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham held a storytelling workshop for the families whose children attend the setting. Grandparents, dads, mums and their children listened to the story of The Gruffalo before making their own props to take home.

OLYMPIC SPIRIT

Nurseries across the country have been holding their own events in honour of the Olympic Games.

Footprints Day Nursery in Macclesfield, Cheshire (top) and Kids Inc Day Nursery in Guildford, Surrey (second) held their own sports days.

To mark the start of the games, Shepherd Lodge Nursery in St Anne's on Sea, Lancashire (third) and Oak House Nursery School in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire took part in the world record bell ringing event, while Sunbeams Educare in Beccles, Suffolk organised an Olympics inspired balloon race (bottom).

BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES

Pre-school children from Tatton Nursery in Chorley, Lancashire released the butterflies they had caught and watched grow throughout their final term at the setting.

The children released the butterflies back to their natural environment after attending their own graduation.

AN ECO SONG

My First Word Nursery in Hove, East Sussex has been chosen as the winner of the One Planet One Voice singing competition run in conjunction with Brighton & Hove City Council and Sussex Wildlife Trust and Resource Futures.

To enter the competition, the nursery had to compose a song with an eco-friendly message, which the children performed.

The nursery will be using the £150 prize to contribute to initiatives that promote outdoor play.

TRIPLE OUTSTANDING

Staff at Childsplay Nursery in Hayling Island, Hampshire were thrilled to learn that they had been awarded an outstanding rating by Ofsted for the third time in a row.

Nursery owner Susan Bailey said, 'We are proud to have maintained our outstanding rating. All staff work extremely hard to offer a high standard of education and care.'

The setting's manager, Kulsuma Chowdhury, has also recently completed her Masters degree in Education and Training Management.

BIG BREAKFAST

Merrydale Day Nursery in Wokingham put on a beautiful spread to win the Daycare Trust's Big Breakfast Bonanza photo competition, organised as part of the charity's annual National Childcare Week.

Children, parents and staff at the nursery wore colourful hats and clothes while enjoying a breakfast of fruit and pancakes.

PADDINGTON CELEBRATES THE OLYMPICS!

The daughter of Paddington author Michaal Bond, Karen Jankel, joined the bear at Paddington Station on the day of the Olympics opening ceremony.

Paddington, who is also Action Medical Research's mascot, was backing Team GB on the quest for Gold.