MayDay!

Good afternoon everyone ,

we have all been very busy at Craigton , getting outside as much as possible recently . We have been digging out the growing beds and planting vegetables and flowers . The older children have  been helping to clean the outdoor equipment too - and a great job they've made of  it  too! There has been building of bonfires , fishing boats and making fishing rods . All the children have been out and about in the village as well - there have been walks to the library , post office , parks and the old railway line .
Please make sure that your child is properly equipped for outdoors every day . Its still quite cold so they need warm , waterproof clothing ...and as we are eagerly anticipating the warmer weather , its time to bring in suncream and hats too.

Fred , our handyman , has also been busy in the garden . He has fitted new catches and chains on all the gates(please make sure you use these every time) has repaired paths damaged by the winter weather , and will be maintaining the fences over the next few weeks- there's a lot of fencing so it takes a while!
We are looking to really make  the most of out outdoor area this year and have been talking to the children about what they'd like to have. We've had some very interesting discussions and some amazing ideas(not all of them practical!) Suzanne has created a plan of the outdoor area , along with the children's ideas , and we'd like yours too . These are on display in both buildings - please have  a look and share your thoughts with us - we cant promise to include everyone's suggestions , but we'll do what we can . We have Steven from the Ranger service helping us with the practical side of this so we're hoping for some great things .

Its Child Safety Week 24th-30th June and a new website has been launched to encourage as may people as possible to get  involved- the message is 'You don't need to be superhuman to be a  Safety Hero' for more information, ideas and activities please visit
 http://www.childsafetyweek.org.uk/get-involved/be-a-safety-hero/

This next bit is a secret ............Alison(buttercups) and her fiancé Leigh are getting married on 18th May . Michelle(snowdrops) is organising a collection for a gift for them so if anyone would like to contribute , please see Michelle asap.......but don't tell Alison!

Other important dates: Family FunDay - Saturday 1st June 12-3pm . Tickets for this are now on sale in both buildings - we are also accepting donations for the raffle which will be drawn on the day .
Sunflowers Sports Day/Graduation: Wednesday 12th June 3pm(19th June alternative if rained off)

Sunflowers class photos : Wednesday 5th June 9:30am . All sunflowers need to be here for this please . If your child doesn't normally attend on a Wednesday morning , please bring them along promptly by 9:30am ready to be photographed . You will need to stay and take them home afterwards . Our photographer , Linda has  a very tight schedule , so if you're not here on time you wont be in the photo! Please note , as this is such a busy day , we are unable to offer extra sessions that day .

One of our Craigton mums, Lesley Simpson , will be doing a sponsored walk along the Old Deeside railway line , on Sunday 2nd June to raise funds for the Neurosurgery Ward 40 at ARI  . Lesley recently underwent major  back surgery and is currently going through a long , slow recovery . In her own words ' I want to give something back to the people who helped me through a very difficult time - a box of chocolates isn't enough.' So even though just a few weeks ago she wasn't able to walk at all , she will be doing her 'Sponsored Wobbly Walk' to say thank you . (She's also promised a donation to our  Staff Development Fund- but we think it should all go to the ARI!) If you'd like to support her in this very courageous effort , there is a sponsor form on display in the Sunflowers entrance area - please help her to raise lots for her very worthy cause- best of luck Lesley!

Don't forget that the nursery will be closed on Monday 6th May - we know you all love being here(as do we) but please don't come that day cos you wont get in! I shall be on leave all next week too(lucky me!) returning on Monday 13th May . Please note that emails will not be answered during this time - please call the nursery if you need to tell/ask us anything, and please wait until my return for any cash payments - the staff are unable to accept cash .

Enjoy the long weekend!