All posts by Mrs Dickinson
Early Learning and Childcare Applications – 2026/2027
Online applications for Early Learning and Childcare places will open on Monday 16th February 2026 and close at midnight on Friday 27th February.
If your child’s date of birth is on or between 1st March 2023 and 29th February 2024, he or she will be eligible for a funded place as set out below.
| Where a child’s birthday falls on or between the following dates: | The child will become eligible from the terms set out below |
| 1 March – 31 August | August (autumn term) occurring in that year |
| 1 September – 31 December | January (spring term) following their birthday |
| 1 January – last day February | April (summer term) following their birthday |
If your child is already enrolled in an Early Childhood Centre, you need not apply.
Should you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
New Students!
We are so fortunate to be welcoming three new students to our nursery over the next week, who will be with us every week until mid-June.
Allow me to introduce…
Kirsty Harper who will be joining us on Tuesdays.
(Photograph to follow)
Cailyn Robertson will be joining us on Wednesdays.
And Megan McCracken will be joining us on Thursdays.
We hope they feel very welcome into our Catrine family and look forward to having them onboard with us!!
Rag Bag Collection
The next Rag Bag collection is Tuesday 17th February 2026.
We will be accepting bags on the afternoon of Friday 13th and Monday 16th February.
For more information about the Rag Bag scheme – https://www.rag-bag.co.uk/ragbag-sheme.php
Many thanks in advance.
See you later Abby!
It is with great sadness that we can now confirm today is the last day we will have the wonderful Abby Lennox with us at Catrine Early Childhood Centre.
Abby has been instrumental this year, for both the staff and the children and she will be missed so dearly.
Abby has been filling in for our Rena Dornan, who will be re-joining us after the Christmas break!
We wish her well in her new position at New Cumnock ECC, and very much hope to have her back with us before too long.
Good luck and see you later Abby!
Welcome to Lindsey McCabe!
We would like to welcome Lindsey McCabe to our Catrine team!
Lindsey will be joining us as an Equity and Excellence Lead from January until the Easter holidays. She will be offering extra support to all our children and organising workshops for Parents/Carers and families.
We are very excited to have her on board with us at Catrine Early Childhood Centre.
Thank you to the Catrine Bowling Club!
A massive Thank You to the Catrine Bowling Club who have so generously been collecting donations for our nursery and have donated a whopping £141!
We are so grateful for their support, and the continued support of our wonderful community.
Hallowe’en Raffle!
First of all, we would like to say a big thank you to all the parents and carers who have supported our nursery by buying raffle tickets.
We are delighted to confirm that the total raised is £84!!
The money raised will go toward our upcoming Christmas activities and events.
And finally… the results are in.
The winner of the Halloween Goodie Box is Olivia G, who is feeling a bit camera shy today! 
The winner of the Halloween cushion and sweeties is Freya W!
Congratulations to our two Halloween Raffle winners!
