Summertime

Hello everyone ,

we are thoroughly enjoying the glorious summer weather at Craigton . Time outdoors has actually had to be limited as some times of day are too hot for the children - a novelty in Scotland! But whilst outside there has been lots going on . The children are making the most of their sheds and most actively participating in returning resources at the end of the day and ensuring the garden areas are tidy. They have also enjoyed outdoor snack times and have done a great job caring for the plants in the growing area and greenhouse . We have already harvested some strawberries, with more almost ready. The tomato plants are growing well though so sign of any tomatoes yet! We also have leeks , potatoes and broccoli in the growing area , along with sunflowers and a wild flower bed with poppies . daisies and cornflowers .
As mentioned in a previous post , we have been included in the tour of Culter by the judges of 'Beautiful Scotland'. They will be visiting us tomorrow(Wednesday) , when we hope that the children will be able to show them their growing successes and tell them all about their gardening experiences .We are delighted to have  been included in this community event , and are really pleased that our efforts to improve the outdoor area , and offer the children the opportunity to get their hands dirty while leaning how to care for not just the plants but also the environment , by recycling and making our own compost , have been recognised by the local community . Huge thanks to Joanne from Gardening4Kids for her invaluable advice and practical sessions with the children - its much more effective when an expert keeps you right!

Over the past few weeks we have said goodbye to several children : some off  to start big school , others to spend their pre-school year in other settings , and will say goodbye  to more in the next couple of weeks. We'd all like to wish you all the very best of luck - its  been a pleasure having you with us - please come back and let us see you in your new school uniforms :-)
Extra copies of class/individual photos have now been ordered - if you're not here when they arrive we'll send them on to you.

A reminder that we are fully booked at the moment and are almost certainly not able to accommodate extra sessions . Still there's no harm in asking! Please ask staff in your child's department directly as they will be able to give you an immediate answer - but dont be too disappointed if we cant help.

Its now time for my annual appeal for volunteers to join the Parent Forum for the coming school year . The forum meets 4 times a year from 6pm - 7:30pm (approx) This gives parents the opportunity to raise any issues or concerns or share suggestions for improvements. Your photo will be on display so that all parents can recognise you and approach you with anything that they'd like raised at the meetings . If you'd like to volunteer or would like more information please contact me .

And finally , please note that I will be on holiday for the rest of this week - Wednesday , Thursday and Friday. Emails will not be monitored so please phone us if you have  anything to tell us - Thank you

Summer Fair update

Hello everyone ,

I'm sorry to tell you that due to very low ticket sales we have made the decision to cancel the Summer Fair this year . Those who have bought tickets(thank you) will have your money refunded . We do however still have a giant cuddly bear looking for a home , so we will go ahead with the raffle with the bear as the prize . Raffle tickets are on sale in both buildings £1.00 a strip . The bear will be on display as soon as we can find somewhere to put him!
All other prizes that were kindly donated will be included in the winter festival raffle later in the the year(cant bring myself to use the other word just yet!) .
We will have a think about something different for next year and hopefully manage to find a date that doesn't clash with any other galas/festivals/shows in the area!

A reminder that all sunflower photo requests  need to back on Monday when I will place the order . If you want extra copies of individual photos, please return the small proof photo as I cant  order without this - Thank you .

Happy weekend to you all :-)

Summer Fair

Hello all ,
just to let you know that were are having very slow ticket sales for the fair next week once again . Its on Saturday 26th July 12-2pm . If you intend to come , please get your ticket now. A decision will be taken this Friday whether we shall go ahead or not - if we dont sell a lot more tickets , its really not worth going ahead. Tickets are on sale in both buildings £5 for an entire family which includes a BBQ - thats a real bargain !

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

To our cook  Katie and fiancé Dave on the safe arrival of their daughter Jorgie last night(Tuesday) . Best wishes from all at Craigton and we're looking forward to meeting her very soon :-)

A reminder to sunflower parents to please pay for or return class photos by the end of this week . Requests for extra photos should also be in by then as I will be ordering these next week .

And dont forget that the nursery will be closed this coming Monday 14th July

Summer Fair

Hello everyone ,

Tickets are now on sale in both buildings for our rescheduled Summer Fair , This is on Saturday 26th July 12-2pm . This is our major fundraiser of the year and there's lots for the children to do. Games , facepainting , tattoos , tombola and of course our ever popular home baking stall .We were forced to cancel our original date in May due to poor ticket sales , so please make sure you get your ticket asap . They are £5 for a family - you can bring along all your friends too! The price includes a BBQ so you wont even need to make lunch that day. We will also have a 'Guess the bear's birthday' where you can win a giant cuddly bear very kindly donated by Fraser Allan's family(thank you :))
Raffle tickets are also on sale £1 a strip or 20p each - donation for raffle prizes will be gratefully received!

A final reminder that we shall be closed this coming Monday 14th July for the local Aberdeen holiday

Sunny days

Hello everyone ,

We are really making the most of the gorgeous weather this week and spending a lot of times outdoors . The new gazebo has been well used to provide shade as well as some imaginative play - it's already been a big top and a boat today . The new picnic table has also been well used  with for  outdoor snacks and a quiet place to sit to have  a rest from all the activities in the garden. The tomatoes in the greenhouses are coming on really well  and the scented plants in the sensory area are now well established and filling the area with lovely smells.
We had a visit earlier this week from a member of the Culter in Bloom committee who would like to include us in the judges walkabout of Culter for 'Beautiful Scotland'- they are impressed with our outdoor area- in particular the orchard ,  the wild flowers in the growing area, and  ensuring that the children learn about growing and caring for plants . We are very pleased  to be included in this community effort , and delighted that they appreciate that children need to dig , plant , water , compost and get their hands dirty :-) We are currently planting some vegetables too - we already have potatoes , carrots and lettuce underway , as well as the tomatoes , and soon will have leeks too! Joanne from Gardening4Kids will also be visiting us very soon and her expert guidance will keep us right :-)

As a result of so much outdoor time , there have been many , many , many changes of clothes . Please ensure that your child has everything they need at nursery each day(in their new bags) .....and please check at home if you have any nursery clothes as our stocks are sadly depleted( all donations for this greatly appreciated too if you're having a clearout - we are in most need of 3-5yrs trousers)

Next week we will be welcoming a new face to Craigton - Linzy MacAvoy will be coming on Wednesday afternoons to do some dance and movement sessions with the children - we are all really looking forward to this , and if successful may continue after the summer too .

Thats about all  for today - a reminder that we shall be closed on Monday 14th July