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Glasgow Times

Renfrewshire nursery won national award for outdoor learning

West Johnstone Early Learning and Childcare Centre (ELCC) received the Alba Trees Early Years' Trophy at Scotland's Finest Woods Awards for its use of woodland-based learning. This award, presented by the Scottish Forest Commission, recognises the nursery's commitment to outdoor education, including daily sessions in Rannoch Woods through its Forest Kindergarten programme. The nursery also runs family forest days and provides forest bags to encourage families to continue outdoor learning at home. Children in Rannoch Woods (Image: Supplied) Children in Rannoch Woods (Image: Supplied) Read more: UWS project to help new nurses tackle complex healthcare needs Elaine Stevenson, head of centre at West Johnstone ELCC, highlighted the importance of outdoor learning to the nursery. She 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 in 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." Children in Rannoch Woods (Image: Supplied) Children in Rannoch Woods (Image: Supplied) Read more: Two-child benefit cap impacting over 1200 homes across Renfrewshire Councillor Emma Rodden, convener of Renfrewshire Council's Education and Children's Services Policy Board, praised the nursery's success. Cllr Rodden said: "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."