Professional Learning, Sharing Good Practice

🔨🪚🌿Summer of CLPL 📸🪡🔬

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For the third consecutive summer we are delighted to have delivered CLPL opportunities to over 300 participants during our CLPL week. Following feedback, we will continue to consider how best to offer these opportunities throughout the year.

This year we delivered, STEM through a Froebelian Lens 🪡🧱📃🍡, Zoom in Zoom out 🔬🔍, Outdoor Learning 🌿, Role Play 🥻👗🦸‍♀️, Digital Pedagogy 📲 🔦, Making Maths count 🔢 and, enabling environments 🛖.

We were also delighted to host Pete Moorhouse who came to Kintore to deliver a full day of Woodwork Training 🪚🔨 to 50 participants and a full day of STEM the four Elements 📸🧱🖇️🧵 to 30 participants. These sessions, alongside the refreshments 🥐 (Woodwork) and the goody bags 🛍️ (STEM) were funded through a grant we received from CNOOC. Thank you to Nicola Scott from the Early Years team for applying for the grant and co-ordinating the days with Pete Moorhouse.

For more information on Pete Moorhouse and his inspirational CLPL including free ideas and downloads, please visit his website: Irresistible Learning – https://irresistible-learning.co.uk/

Aberdeenshire Inspections

July and August Inspection Round Up

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Congratulations to the below settings who had a Care Inspectorate Inspection published in July and August 2026.

Insch ELC – https://ci-web-media-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/inspection-reports/CS2003015714/328338.pdf

Turriff Playgroup – https://ci-web-media-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/inspection-reports/CS2003002591/328426.pdf

Jill Lawrie – https://ci-web-media-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/inspection-reports/CS2016346224/328433.pdf

Kiddiwinks Kemnay – https://ci-web-media-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/inspection-reports/CS2003002640/328395.pdf

Gillian Birnie Childminding – https://ci-web-media-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/inspection-reports/CS2017362445/328589.pdf

Jumping Jacks Childminding service – https://ci-web-media-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/inspection-reports/CS2017357863/328502.pdf

Kirsty’s childmindees – https://www.careinspectorate.scot/find-care/search-for-care/care-services/CS2024000470/kirstys-childmindees

Hoodles – https://ci-web-media-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/inspection-reports/CS2011289681/328852.pdf

Podcasts

ELC Podcast August 2026 – An Introduction to the Curriculum Improvement Cycle

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Our first podcast for the Curriculum Improvement Cycle details what is changing, what is staying the same and how we will support going forward. It is a 14 minute recording.

First Explainer Document – FINAL Curriculum Improvement Cycle Explainer for Teachers and Practitioners – designed v.1

Second Explainer Document – CIC Explainer 2 draft updated

CIC Webpage with draft sample materials – Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC): Early Draft Sample materials June 2026 – Curriculum Improvement Cycle

Sharing Good Practice

Monymusk Playgroup – Wild Challenge 🌿🌱🍄‍🟫

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The team at Monymusk Playgroup are super proud to have their nature pedagogy recognised by becoming a “School for Nature” as they achieved the RSPB Wild Challenge Gold Award for doing great things in nature.   You can read all about their journey here: https://read.bookcreator.com/MMOA3EJlebYrE5IXZUsspwoLEN73/OgFtskKTSKCW2jfVZTRSIw .

Event, Sharing Good Practice

From Castles to Zen Gardens: The Magic of Block Play 🏰🏯

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We were delighted to welcome Early Years colleagues from across Aberdeenshire to Unlocking the Learning in Block Play today.

Inspired by Froebel’s belief in the power of play, we explored the history of block play, the developmental stages children move through as builders, and the important role adults play in observing, supporting and extending learning. Through discussion and practical experiences, we reflected on how block play can enrich learning across the curriculum, from literacy and numeracy to creativity, communication and problem-solving.

We also explored how digital tools such as Gemini Storybook, can enhance children’s learning by helping them capture, reflect on and share the stories behind their creations. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to a fantastic day of learning, collaboration and inspiration. 🏰🌿🏡✨

Event

Early Years at Wild About Aden

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🌞 What a lovely day to be out and about! 🌞
Our team is set up with a Stay and Play station at Wild About Aden today, making the most of the beautiful weather. 🌿☀️
If you’re visiting, please pop by and say hello! We’d love to chat with you about:
> 2Nurture
> Bookbug
> Child Development
> Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) in Aberdeenshire
Whether you have questions, are looking for advice, or simply want to find out more about the support and opportunities available for young children and families, our team will be happy to help.
We look forward to seeing you there! 😊🍃

Sharing Good Practice

Welly walkers Childminding Family

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Innovative CPD Opportunity: Engaging Children in Permaculture for Early Years

My name Christine Mathieson from Welly Walkers Childminding Family out at Portsoy. I have just finished a fantastic course that ran for 6 weeks, 12hrs in total 2 hrs in the evening per week. It is the Introduction to Engaging Children in Permaculture part of the Permaculture Association, with lecturers/trainers Lusi Alderslowe and Annette Argabright.

As we look for innovative ways to embed sustainability and outdoor learning into our Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) provisions, I would like to tell you about the training that i stumbled on whie doing reaearch during an outdoor play module in my second year of Uni : Engaging Children in Permaculture.

Permaculture goes beyond standard  gardening. It introduces a holistic design framework rooted in three core ethics: Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share. 

  • Enhancing STEM & Literacy: Providing practical, nature-based ways to deliver core curriculum outcomes.
  • Boosting Child Wellbeing: Supporting sensory integration, physical confidence, and emotional resilience through active outdoor play.
  • Promoting Sustainability: Directly contributing to the green initiatives by teaching waste reduction, composting, and biodiversity to the next generation.
  • Maximizing Resources: Training educators to utilize free, open-ended natural materials, lowering long-term resource costs for centers.

I really wanted to shout about this CPD as I believe it can lead the way in progressive, climate-conscious early pedagogy.

Aberdeenshire Inspections

June Monthly Round up

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June 2026 – Congratulations to:

Peterhead Central ELC – https://educationinspectorate.gov.scot/media/h23fxrwh/peterhead-central-school-nc-sif-230626.pdf

Laurencekirk ELC – https://educationinspectorate.gov.scot/media/ivvf0b1v/laurencekirk-psnc-sif-190526.pdf

Macduff ELC – https://educationinspectorate.gov.scot/media/veveixc3/macduff-school-nc-sif-210426.pdf

June 2026 – Congratulations to:

Stepping Stones Ellon – https://ci-web-media-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/inspection-reports/CS2009195509/327829.pdf

Crossroads ELC – https://ci-web-media-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/inspection-reports/CS2003015747/327985.pdf

Danni’s Daycare – https://ci-web-media-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/inspection-reports/CS2024000430/328110.pdf

Sharing Good Practice

Banbury Cross – NDNA Nursery of the Year 2026

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The team at Banbury Cross Nursery are absolutely delighted to share that Banbury Cross Nursery has won NDNA Nursery of the Year Scotland 2026.

We travelled down to the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool for the NDNA Conference before heading to the awards ceremony that evening. It was a brilliant experience, and we were over the moon when Banbury Cross was announced as the winner.

The judges said:

“Judges praised Banbury Cross Nursery for creating a warm, caring environment and strong family relationships, reflected in glowing testimonials. A clear vision, engaging learning approaches and investment in staffing shows commitment to children’s needs, while strong staff retention highlights effective support despite its rural location.”

Hearing those comments and then winning the award made all the hard work worthwhile. After 15 years of building and growing Banbury Cross Nursery, this recognition means so much to our whole team. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together and of the caring, nurturing environment we’ve created for our children and families.

It’s a real team achievement, and we’re still smiling about it!

Sharing Good Practice

Flowerpots – Staff Development Workshop

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Recently the teams from both Flowerpots sites gathered at the Kastille in Turriff for our bi-annual staff development workshop.  Twice a year we step away from our daily routines to engage in collaborative professional discussion and in- house training. This dedicated time allows us to analyse our performance and reflect on our impact in improving outcomes for children and families. 

Key focus areas of this event included: Skills for life learning and work, developmental milestones, manual handling, health and safety, curriculum, the promise, pedagogy, and digital literacy.  We are incredibly proud of our team’s commitment to providing the highest standards of care and support for our children and families.   The level of passion and professionalism brought to these workshops was truly inspiring.  Such a valuable opportunity to learn together and we look forward to seeing the benefits of these refreshed insights in our playrooms. 

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