The outdoor learning experience at Duchal has just become even better. With our new extendable canopy our outdoor classroom can be used whatever the weather. Today we are making the most of the shade from the wonderful September sunshine, tomorrow we may be sheltering from the rain! This fabulous new asset is really beneficial giving the the children and teachers more space and flexibility for outside learning and play.
Unfortunately we have postponed the AGM until we are able to gather together again date to be advised in due course.
As a parent’s co-operative our Duchal families get a fantastic opportunity to get involved with their child’s early years. Our AGM will be held on Thursday 9th September at 7.30pm followed by our beginning of year parent’s social. A fabulous opportunity to meet new parents and catch up after the long summer break. Pop the date in the diary and book a babysitter!!
As a parents’ co-operative, Duchal offers a unique alternative setting to private or local authority owned nurseries. Duchal was set up by a group of parents in their kitchen in 1967 to provide early years childcare for local children. Since then, Duchal has developed and grown into the forward thinking nursery that we all enjoy today.
The current format of the parent’s co-operative is very different to the original group of parents who were responsible for all of the finance, administration and day to day running of the nursery. To keep up with the changing landscape and requirements of early years education providers over the past 50+ years, a dedicated Administrator has been appointed together with the Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher and our governance is overseen by three Non-Executive Directors.
Now our parents all get involved with helping out on social events for parents and activities for the children such as, Easter Egg Hunts, Halloween parties, attending the Kilmacolm Show and helping with garden maintenance, to keep Duchal the family focussed nursery we all enjoy.
The Parent’s Co-operative Committee meetings are a great opportunity to socialise with other parents, and are held every 6 -8 weeks, we encourage all parents to participate, it is an excellent way to get to know other families and create lasting friendships and a wonderful way to find out about Duchal first hand. We will be arranging the first committee meeting after the AGM and hope you will all be able to get involved.
This week we have been concentrating on the colour red. We have been out exploring the village and found red cars, plants, berries and fences on our way to the red post box.
Following on from our Blue Teddy number work we were also looking out for numbers, whether that be on gates, car registration plates or on the red post box.
The children used their powers of observation really well, while concentrating hard on road safety and awareness while out and about.Find out more about Duchal Nursery and our free funded places at www.duchal.com we are now open 8am – 6pm daily
| A contemporary Print by Emma S Davis RSW PAI |
| A wonderful opportunity to have your very own little piece of Duchal We are delighted to offer our Duchal friends and families the opportunity to have your very own print of this beautiful original painting of the nursery by former Duchal parent, Emma Davis. The original painting was commissioned by Duchal as a retirement gift for the late Mrs Jean McCarthy, treasured Headteacher at the nursery, who touched the lives of so many families. The original painting was presented to Jean at a family fun day held at Duchal to celebrate her retirement, after 15 years at the nursery, in August 2017. It was always Jean’s wish that everyone should be able to enjoy this special painting as much as she did, we were therefore delighted when Peter McCarthy, in collaboration with Emma Davis, contacted us to offer everyone the chance to have their special memories of Duchal in print. It is hoped that the nursery will be able to purchase a new playhouse from the proceeds of the Print sales as it is now past its best and in need of replacement. We would also like to include a plaque on the new playhouse in memory of Mrs McCarthy. Print Options: Print Only: £65 (measures approx. 10” x 10”) Print in Hand Finished white frame: £145 (measures approx.18” x 18”) Print in Gold or Silver Frame: £125 (measures approx.18” x 18”) Print with small frame in gold or silver with black edge £105 (measures approx.12” x 12”) If you would like to order your own copy of this lovely print please confirm your order by arranging payment as detailed below, the deadline for orders is 25th June. Depending on demand we may do a second print order later in the summer, but please order as soon as possible. Payment Details: Please transfer your payment directly to the Duchal Bank Account Using reference detailing print size/frame type and your name: “Print + Gold Frame – A Smith” to secure your order. Duchal Bank Details: Using reference detailing print size/frame type and your name:: “Print + Gold Frame – A Smith” Account Number: 00192393 Sort Code: 83 23 20 If you have any questions, please contact info@duchal.com or Amy Gordon, Chairperson of the parent committee, amyjanegordon@icloud.com There is a copy of the print in the nursery or Amy also has a copy of the print available to view. All our very best to you, From everyone at Duchal Nursery For more information on Artist Emma Davis please visit www.emmasdavisartist.co.uk |
It has been wonderful to see the nursery full of happy children again.
Find out what they have been doing since their return in our latest newsletter.
It is hard to believe we have not seen most of you since before Christmas and it is wonderful to be able to welcome all our lovely teddies back to Duchal again. We are delighted to note that every single one of them bounced into nursery on Monday morning, obviously thrilled to be back with their friends and teachers and desperate to share all their news. It has been especially exciting to introduce 2 new faces to our group of red teddies. Both have settled in beautifully – so much so, that on one end of session there was a distinct unwillingness on the part of one of them to leave!
We have lots of exciting activities planned for the coming weeks and delighted to have you all back.