All posts by Alana Speirs

Welcome back

Well, it’s almost time!!!

The staff at the centre cannot wait to see all returning families back and welcome all new ones.

A few helpful points have been outlined below to support in the first few days.

  • Remember to check your letter before you arrive to remind yourself of what base room your child will be in
  • I can now confirm that our Butterfly keyworker will be Abby, who we welcome to the centre
  • Remember to change your child’s shoes to slip on/off ones before entering the playrooms
  • Give your child’s wellies and sunscreen to your child’s keyworker
  • Leave a change of clothes (including socks and underwear) in your child’s drawstring bag which you will find on their peg
  • Label EVERYTHING – it is a very busy and big environment therefore staff cannot always know where each child takes clothing/shoes off
  • Bring any emergency medication such as inhalers and be prepared to wait to fill out the paperwork required – surgeries will prescribe an additional inhaler which can be left at the ECC. Please note no child with asthma should be in the building without an inhaler at any time
  • Speak with (and trust) your child’s keyworker at the end of each day in the first few days/weeks in relation to pick up times. It is important to settle each child in on an individual basis and in the time frame that suits – even if this takes a little longer than that of their peers
  • We ask that children do not bring in their own toys from home. We are happy to support children who have comforters such as small blankets or teddies that they won’t leave the house without.  However, we ask that these are placed in your child’s bag and you inform their keyworker who will take them to it if/when required during their time with us. This is the same with any dummies. Dummies can pose as serious choke hazards within an ECC setting as well as prevent opportunities to develop speech
  • Please ensure your child has sunscreen on upon arrival and is always dressed appropriately for all weathers including sunhats, scarves, gloves and jacket
  • Please return any paperwork you were given during your induction. If you have lost anything just let a member of staff know
  • We are also delighted to welcome Corrie to the team who will be in the centre on Mondays, Tuesdays and every 2nd Wednesday.

 

We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday.

8.45am for all returners and 9.15am for all of our new children to the centre.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to phone our ECC office on Monday or Tuesday afternoon.

 

Alana Speirs

Depute Manager

Sound of the Month

As all of our parents know each ELCP within the centre has their own champion area that they lead. Well, Leoni has done a wonderful job this year at leading our new Sound of the Month (SOTM) initiative through her responsibility within Literacy. The children have thoroughly enjoyed learning about and developing their phonological awareness through fun and active games on a Friday.

Leoni has created a SWAY for you to see their journey and well as a short feedback form she would really appreciate if you filled in. These forms help us to adapt plans for next year and to measure impact and progress 🙂

Go to this Sway

Leoni would really appreciate your support in completing the FORM within the link below. Thank you in advance 🙂

Catrine ECC Summer Trip 2025

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We would really appreciate some feedback on how you enjoyed (or didn’t) our trip yesterday.

The SWAY above shows just some of  fab times we shared, and the link below is a very short questionnaire to gather your views about how you felt the full day went. 

As always we thank you for your support, cooperation and tremendous parent engagement on days like these 🙂 These are the days children remember and we love being a part of those memories with our families. 

Kelburn Country Park Summer Trip 2025

Important information for our trip 

THURSDAY 5th JUNE 2025

  • We ask that all parent/carers arrive between 8.45 and 9am where we will have a registration in the playground area, aiming to leave the ECC at 9.15am at the latest
  • The ECC will be open from 8.45am to use the toilets if need be before boarding the bus
  • If you are running late or not able to come on the day, please phone the ECC (or the school if you do not get a response on our phone) to make us aware
  • Please ensure both adults and children are dressed appropriately for the weather. ECC waterproofs and wellies for the children will be available should you require to borrow them. Hi-vis vests will also be available if you would like to put one on your child. These are optional
  • Parents of children with medication – this must be carried with you at all times. You can sign our ECC held medication out should you wish to, however please remember if you chose to take our medication out of the building you MUST bring it back into the ECC and sign it back in again when you get off of the bus. This is following our EAC Policies and Procedures in relation to medication. It would be advised to bring your child’s own personal medication from home if you feel you are likely to want to go straight home once we get off the bus
  • The ECC will provide each child with a piece of fruit for snack in the morning and a packed lunch later in the day. The children will get a small bottle of water at lunch time. You may however wish to bring another drink for them for throughout the rest of the day
  • We would suggest you bring a backpack with you and a change of clothes for your child in case of any accidents, fall, spillages or simply if we get soaked they might be more comfortable with dry clothes for the bus journey home
  • Please note we have a no smoking or vaping policy around the children, even in outdoor areas
  • We aim to leave the park again at 2pm to be back for 2.45pm
  • If you get lost from your group you can phone the school office on 01290 551436. Deborah in the school office will then get in contact with Alana who will then phone you on the number you put down on your child’s EV5 form

Finally, we want you and your child to have a great day.

Your group leaders will take you around the 4 planned stations which we hope you will enjoy and participate in 🙂

We would also love to see photos you take uploaded to your child’s Learning Journal if possible.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask your child’s keyworker or phone the ECC office

An itinerary has been uploaded below for your information

Kelburn Parent Itinerary 2025

 

Monthly Round Up @ Catrine ECC

Have a look below to find out just some of the experiences and learning opportunities on offer over the past month 🙂

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Booking form now open

Our Health & Wellbeing Parent Workshop is now open for bookings.

As our HWB Leader, Lesleyanne is super excited to offer a session to parent/carers where the children can show you some of the techniques and strategies which they have been learning within our Nurture Nook over the year.

If you would like the opportunity to join your child on Monday 28th April please complete the form below to express your interest – please note there are only 8 spaces available at each session.

We have made the decision to add the option of a PM workshop following parent requests within our recent feedback questionnaire.

During this session Rena will also give parents a 10minute update so far in relation to our Rights Respecting Schools journey 🙂

Another 3 weeks of fun filled exploration and learning :)

 

Curiosity and Creativity with Michelle and Julie T in our Voes playroom 🙂

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Carrie and Sherrie were busy as always in our Greenspace …..

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Rena has been busy within The Brig developing a range of literacy skills

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Julie has been in The Mill exploring pets and household chores

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The Square had Leoni in it this planning cycle offering opportunities to develop numeracy skills

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And Tammie was investigating minibeasts in our outdoor areas

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An enormous THANK YOU to Annie’s mum for bringing in the most beautiful baby lamb before our Easter Bunny made a surprise appearance.

We hope you all have a super Easter break and we will see you all back at the ECC on Tuesday 22nd April 🙂