Since February, almost 30 settings across Highland have taken part in the National Virtual Nature School programme to help improve approaches to planning learning and play outdoors.  Auchtertyre ELC took part in six sessions which included weekly input from the Virtual Nature School team and opportunities to reflect on practice.  The Auchtertyre staff team gained confidence using more responsive approaches to planning and recording learning outdoors using floorbooks.

‘We signed up for the Virtual Nature School training course with the aim of helping to improve our outdoor provision and to increase our motivation and it delivered. The themes of “looking” gave us great scope and the daily videos provided great “go to” ideas when needed. A highlight of basing a week’s learning around one item, was mind provoking. The breadth and depth that this approach allowed surprised us.’  Fiona Matheson, EYP Auchtertyre ELC

You can find further information and case studies from the programme by visiting https://www.virtualnatureschool.org 

The latest guidance and information received from the Scottish Government has been added to the Covid-19 Updates tab on the blog.

Cradlehall playgroup stayed connected with their families via a Whats App group. Providing online learning and connections that supported relationships and children’s learning by making links to the Curriculum for Excellence. These continued to help children to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. They created a floor book to record the activities they shared, parents interactions, photos and comments from families. Through the use of photos and comments they were aware of children’s progress and achievements. To find out more click here.

Bookbug Week 2021 runs from Monday 17 May – Sunday 23 May.  This year’s theme is Bookbug’s Big Splash.  Head over to the Scottish Book Trust site for lots of ideas and information on how you can join in in your ELC setting and support families to join in at home.