We braved the weather this morning to head to Ach an Eas for our last session of this block. The children and residents were busy making Christmas cards for each other and their families. Summer helped to deliver a little Christmas gift to the staff and residents. Miss Kelman had a chat with Rosetta who said “Will you tell the parents that the children are a credit to them, and to you. They are so lovely. I love bairns, it lifts me” when they visit and “the residents adore them.” It was lovely to hear such an amazing feedback from one of the residents about our visits to their home.

Well done to all the children who did fantastic singing and actions at the CCC today for the older people, all the teachers are very proud of you!

Also a reminder that their is one more Stay and Play session left if you fancy coming to play and see your childs learning – Wednesday 18th December.

Dates to Remember ? Monday 6th January – Schools back ?

Tuesday 21st January – “Coffee and Chat” – Parent Focus Group time TBC ?

W/B Monday 27th January – Primary 1 enrolment week ?

Friday 31st January – Literacy family event “Books and Buns” 1:15pm – 2:15pm ?

W/B Monday 10th February Early Learning and Childcare enrolment week ?

Monday 17th February – School Holiday, School Closed ?

Tuesday 18th February – School Holiday, School Closed ?

Wednesday 19th February – In-service day – School Closed ?

Thursday 19th March – Parent Council AGM 7pm ?

Thursday 26th March – Family learning event (Numeracy) Time TBC ?

Friday 27th March – Last day of school for the Easter Holidays ?

Monday 13th April – Easter Monday – School Closed ?

Tuesday 14th April – Schools first day back ?

Friday 8th May – May Day Holiday – School Closed ?

Monday 1st June – School In-service day – School Closed ?

Thursday 4th June – Family HWB event time TBC ?

Thursday 11th June – School Sports Day – P4 – P7 9.30am – P1 – P3 1.30pm ?

Friday 12th June – ELC Sports (AM and PM) Times TBC ?

Thursday 2nd July – Last day of school closed at 12pm

Reminder to wear christmas clothing tomorrow Wednesday 11th December for christmas lunch. Also we are closed Thursday 12th december.

If anyone has had their child go home in nursery clothes could you please make sure you return them asap as we are running low, thank you. Also in relation to clothes, please could you put your child’s name on every item of clothing, shoes, gloves, bags etc, as a few things have gone home with the wrong child/things have gone missing. Thank you!

We had such an exciting day at Wee Mac’s today. Not only did we have a new group of children who were able to explore the resources and surroundings, the weekly fire pit with marshmallows, but we were able to join the clients of the Mackenzie Centre for their annual Panto visit, ‘Handsome & Gretel’. The children were so engaged and really loved the performance. 

This morning the children headed down to Ach an Eas to perform our Christmas songs. They were super sensible when walking with their partners to and from the care home. The staff are so proud of the children as their singing was amazing! The residents loved joining in with the familiar songs, especially our last song ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’. The staff provided us with a delicious snack of sandwiches and biscuits before walking back to nursery.

We were busy in the woods this Monday, using our creative skills to make our own wreath. We explored the woods and found different natural materials to help make our wreath and showed great team working skills when taking turns to stick a part on.

Forest session – Monday 9th December. This is the last forest session for the Monday AM Rainbows in the woods and we would like to invite parents to come and join us on our last session. If you wish to come and join us please meet at Lochardil woods for 9am Monday 9th December. Hopefully see you there.

ELC Christmas Party Friday 20th December 9:30am – 11am OR 1pm – 2:30pm. If your child attends on a Friday their regular slot will remain the same. However, if you child does not attend on a Friday they will be invited in, please see note in your child’s tray 🙂

A Christmas party food list has been pinned up on the wall to the left of the lunches; we would appreciate if you would sign up to taking in an item please.

Also a big thank you for coming along to our MacMillan Coffee Morning we are delighted to tell you we raised £90.44. Thanks again!

Two of our cheeky little elves (Miss Paul & Miss Allardice) have been busy today getting ready for a special arrival. They have transformed our quiet room into Santa’s Grotto, compete with roaring fire, Santa’s chair and fairy lights galore. Fingers crossed he can fit us into his busy schedule before he does his Christmas deliveries !!

Another great couple of days at the Mackenzie Centre this week. The children enjoyed toasting marshmallows over the fire pit, making mud pies, using the exploration table, playing games in the hut, dancing, singing with the clients in the Mackenzie Centre and even a bit of meditation !!

We are looking forward to taking a new group of children next week and showing them what we do at the Mackenzie Centre.

A reminder that next Wednesday 4th December all Wednesday AM children will be going to Ach an Eas for Christmas sing along. Children are welcome to wear a Christmas jumper.                Also Wednesday the 11th December the children are performing their Christmas songs at the Culduthel Christian Centre at 11:40am. Children are invited to wear Christmas jumpers.                                                                                                                                                                          At the end of this week children have been getting into the festive spirit by helping put the Christmas trees up. Please remember to have a look through our lost property box.              Have a lovely weekend 🙂 ?

Whilst at Ach an Eas the children celebrated St Andrew’s Day. They spent time making “Scotland flags” (Summer), eating shortbread and doing some Scottish country dancing, “bagpipe dancing” (Finlay C).

Thank you for coming along to our Books and Buns session this morning. We hope you learned the importance of reading books and the positive impact it has on children’s literacy development. Hope you enjoy your new books.

Could we kindly ask that all story bags are returned by the date stated in the book.  Due to the Christmas stories included we are hoping that we can give all children the opportunity to enjoy them at home with their families.  If they are not returned in time, this could mean that another child will miss out.

If you have any queries, please speak to Miss Paul.  Thank you for your understanding.

Well done to Tilly for getting pupil of the month for being a very kind friend in nursery and being very caring and helpful with our younger children 🙂

Last week and this week, the children have been looking at form of transport in relation to the Police. The children have marked/written on the Police floor book to show different types of transport that police use. We have also been discussing how to travel safe, beside the road, in a car etc., and the children created their own zebra crossing and traffic light to role play how to travel safely.

Well done to Miss V for getting our Out of School Assistant job and congratulations for being the first person to complete the SVQ in Childcare within the Highland Council 🙂

What a fantastic first morning we had at Wee Mac’s. The children had a great time exploring the great outdoor space and new resources that we have there. From tent building to the mud kitchen, sandpit to fire pit, learning rules and interacting with clients that attend the Mackenzie Centre and singing Christmas songs. The end of the day bought us to story time around the fire then inside for lunch. We can’t wait for next week !!

This week the group enjoyed another fab session with Spokes for Folks. We headed out with the same residents as last week. We started off going along the river and across the bridge to Whin Park, where unfortunately there were no ducks! After a quick spin around the pond we went along the new bypass and headed back to Ach an Eas. Our amazing pilots managed to tackle Stratherrick hill and dropped us off at the school entrance!