Special award for Johnstone nursery’s forest kindergarten

West Johnstone Early Learning and Childcare Centre (ELCC) were presented with a trophy for their outdoor learning and forest kindergarten experiences.

The nursery was awarded the Alba Trees Early Years’ trophy at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2025. It was presented to nursery managers during a ceremony in Scottish Parliament.

The Rannoch Woods are used by the nursery to teach children about the natural world and to develop their curiosity. Children explore within marked areas under supervision and learn to assess risks and to build tenacity and adaptability.

Children also have access to daily outdoor learning within the nursery grounds itself.

West Johnstone ELCC hold family forest days where everyone comes together to explore the local woodlands together. They hold these throughout the year and special visitors have included the Gruffalo and Santa.

Children take home special learning bags from each family forest day to continue their learning with parents and carers.

Elaine Stevenson, head of centre at West Johnstone ELCC, said: “We have a strong commitment to ensuring our approaches and links to the forest and outdoor environment are key to supporting and nurturing our children’s wellbeing, learning and natural curiosity. We are committed to transforming the lives of our learners by providing daily opportunities outdoors to play and learn. We are delighted to be winners for the Early Years category.

“Our Forest Kindergarten sessions help children to collaborate both verbally and non-verbally and set themselves challenges and take valuable risks. During risk-taking play, our children demonstrate perseverance, resilience and determination as they control their body movements through climbing and balancing. They apply concentration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

“Ensuring children are supported to spend as much time as they can engaging in outdoor experiences is an integral part of our vision here at West Johnstone ELCC.”

Councillor Emma Rodden, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, added: “Being able to explore the local woodland is a fantastic experience for young children. West Johnstone ELCC are committed to daily outdoor learning opportunities. This award is well deserved for everything the nursery does to promote forest learning, nurturing children’s wellbeing and building resilience.”

The judges of the award said West Johnstone ELCC are “an excellent example of how things can happen when a leader works out what is needed and how is the best way to do this.”

Jean Nairn, executive director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, commented: “The aim of this nursery’s project is for the children to ‘develop a sense of wonder’ for their natural world and value their place in it. It’s great to see that the children were actively involved in the installation of their magpost—one of their prizes—and that it’s being put to good use.”