Congratulations!!!!!

To Michelle(snowdrops) and her fiancé Kev , who were married in New York yesterday......FINALLY . They have been engaged for ever! I'm sure that you will all join us in wishing them a lifetime of happiness together :-) . Becky (buttercups) is arranging a collection amongst the staff for a wedding gift . If anyone would like to contribute , please see Becky . Michelle will return to Craigton on Monday 15th August when we'll celebrate with her.

Meanwhile , away from the Big Apple , we have been making the most of the summer(?????) - the children have been out and about exploring the local area with walks to the parks and along the old railway line . The buttercups had a very exciting trip on the bus to the bear factory , where they made Harry the monkey who is now a much loved addition to the group!

The sunflowers were very interested in the roadworks in Culter(you probably didnt notice them - hardy any disruption at all!) and have now made their role play area a roadworks site - they are enjoying using the road signs and learning about road safety at the same time....the diggers and trucks are quite an attraction too. They have also been looking at mini beasts , including real ones they have found in the garden and further afield. We now have some bird houses that will soon be in the garden , as well as well as the feeders already there , so hopefully we'll all be ornithologists!

All the children continue to be involved in tending the garden - they have been weeding and feeding(using our very own compost) and have enjoyed watching the plants grow. We have harvested (and eaten) strawberries, carrots , potatoes and radishes so far.

I am delighted to let you know , that thanks to your amazing fundraising efforts over the past year , that two members of staff have been able to begin qualifications :-) Maureen(sunflowers) has just started working towards SVQ III and Debbie(buttercups) SVQ II . They are both extremely pleased to be given this opportunity and I know they will work very hard to achieve their goals . This would not have been possible without your support and we all thank you- its very much appreciated .

A reminder ......some have not returned the Pre-school funding applications. Please do this as soon as you can - if you dont apply , you wont get the funding! If you don't wish to apply , please let me know this too - Thank you .

Looking ahead , please note that the nursery will be closed on Monday 26th September for the local holiday .

And finally - Natalie is enjoying her break before the arrival of her baby , but says she misses us! I'll let you know as soon as we have any news!

Hope you all have  a lovely weekend- and hey...the sun is shining :-)

Marion