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West Johnstone Early Learning and Childcare Centre (ELCC) has won a Scottish award for their use of their local woodlands to promote early learning.
The nursery received the Alba Trees Early Years’ trophy at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards held by Scottish Forest Commission. They were presented with a £500 cheque and a plaque to display.
Children get to play outdoors daily, both in the nursery garden and by visiting the Rannoch Woods for Forest Kindergarten sessions. Being in the woods allows children to develop their curiosity and challenge themselves to explore within marked areas under supervision. They climb and balance on trees, learning to assess risks and building their tenacity, adaptability and resolve.
The nursery also holds family forest days and provides families with forest bags to continue the learning children receive at home.
Elaine Stevenson, head of centre at West Johnstone ELCC, said their Forest Kindergarten programme allows children to develop a sense of wonder about their natural world. She explained: “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: “West Johnstone ELCC’s commitment to daily outdoor learning opportunities and visits to their local woods is a fantastic experience for young children. This award is well deserved for everything the nursery does to promote forest learning, nurturing children’s wellbeing and building resilience.”
