Bells Brae Nursery

Week Beginning: 9th February 2026

Our story of the week is Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story.

Our song of the week is I’m a Giraffe. Click on the link below to sing along to the song.

Galley Shed Visit

We were very lucky to get an invite from the UHA Committee to visit the Galley Shed prior to UHA Day.  Children wore their hi-vis vests and used their road safety knowledge to make our way to the Galley Shed.  We split into groups and took it in turns to be shown various areas of the Galley Shed.  We got to see the galley boat which was almost finished, the children enjoyed discussing the colours and design of the galley and taking turns to be the driver!  Children were able to hold the torches which were then used in the UHA procession and watched a video all about previous years which told the story of UHA.  Everyone had the opportunity to go into the Committee meeting room and sit in the Jarl’s chair!

“Viking Hammer”.    “That me going on da galley ship”.    “They holding the torches”.  “How are they big and strong”.    “In the galley shed”.    “That’s the hammer”.  “Bang”.    “The steering wheel, up the galley boat”.

Up Helly Aa Day

The children have been really engaged whilst learning about Up Helly Aa at Nursery.  We got the opportunity to join the rest of our school community to see the visiting Junior and Senior Jarl Squads.  The children got involved in singing the Up Helly Aa song, clapping and cheering as they entered the hall.  Some of the vikings came to nursery and the children got the chance to explore their suits and get pictures.  The children wanted to have their own procession in Nursery, marching and roaring, we got our galley out which the children had decorated and the children threw their torches in to ‘burn’ our galley just like the real one.

“Burning the galley”.    “Let’s throw our torches in guys”.    “The helmets were really silver”.    “In the gym hall”.    “See the Vikings”.    “Galley last year looked happy not fierce”.    “Viking boat in a big fire”.    “That Vikings”.

Nursery Registration

This will take place from Friday 13th to Friday 20th February 2026. Use the link below to register your child.

Register my Child

If your child attends Bell’s Brae Nursery, you do not need to register again. However, if you wish to change your child’s hours for next session, use the link below.

Change of Pattern Form 2026-2027

Primary 1 Enrolment

This will take place from Monday 16th to Friday 20th February 2026. Use the link below to complete the online enrolment form.

Primary 1 Enrolment

Deferred Entry to Primary 1

You may defer your child’s entry to Primary 1 if they have not turned five by 19th August 2026. This is an automatic right to defer. To do this, complete the form using the link below by 15th March 2026.

Deferred Entry to Primary 1

Placing Request

This must be completed using the link below, no later than 15th March 2026. All requests will be determined by 30th April 2026.

Placing Requests

For more information, refer to the Registration Guide for Parents and Carers using the link below.

Registration Guide for Parents and Carers

Week Beginning: 2nd February 2026

Our story of the week is 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story.

Our song of the week is Save the Earth. Click on the link below to sing along to the song.

3D Shapes

Children have had the opportunity to take part in adult led and child initiated activities learning about 3D shapes.  At together time we discussed 3D shapes and talked about the properties of the shapes, ie those with corners, faces, those with curves/no curves and which shapes can roll or stack.  Children also used the 3D shapes to create their own models.

“A cylinder can roll”.    “That’s a cube”.    “It has a point and a circle on the bottom”. (A cone)

“Look at my castle”.    “It’s a cone like an ice cream cone”.

Up Helly Aa Crafts

Children have been busy taking part in lots of Up Helly Aa crafts this term.  They have had the opportunity to make torches, shields and helmets.  Children have also used teamwork to create our Up Helly Aa display in the school ready for the Vikings!

The children went for a walk through the school to see the Nursery display board with our winter crafts.  The children discussed what they liked about the board, which items they made and ideas for the Up Helly Aa board that will be created next.

“Look at the snowflakes! We cut them out”.    “That’s the gingerbread house I made”.

Our Janitor kindly made the Nursery their very own galley boat to decorate and make their own.  The children discussed with him what still needed to be added and said they’d show him the finished result!

“Lots of colours”.    “It needs a tongue”.    “And teeth”.  “And lots of shields”.

Play Park

Staff took a small group of children on a walk to the play park.    The children enjoyed taking part in play with their friends on the park equipment.  Children helped to develop their gross motor skills, co-ordination, independence and collaboration skills through their play.

“This is my first time”.    “This is so fun”.    “I can help you”.   “You can do it”!    “I like the park”.    “Hold on”.

The children were using their imaginations to create a role-play bus, taking turns to drive and beep the horn.

“We’re going to Aberdeen”.    “Get out of the way! Beep, beep”.

Playing chasing games outdoors, What’s the time Mr Wolf? and running races in the windy weather using their gross motor skills and co-ordination skills.

Week Beginning: 26th January 2026

Our story of the week is The Viking Who Liked Icing by Lu Fraser.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story.

Our song of the week is Row, Row, Row Your Longship.

Row, row, row your longship,

Across the open sea.

Vikings, Vikings, Vikings, Vikings,

It’s a warrior’s life for me.

Week Beginning: 19th January 2026

Our story of the week is The Runaway Pea Washed Away by Kjartan Poskitt.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story.

Our rhyme of the week is Carrots, Peas and Broccoli (to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star).

Carrots, peas and broccoli,

Vegetables are good for me,

For my snack and in my lunch,

Veggie sticks are great to munch,

Carrots, peas and broccoli,

Vegetables are good for me.

Week Beginning: 12th January 2026

Our story of the week is Barbara Throws a Wobbler by Nadia Shireen.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story.

Our song of the week is Emotions Hokey Pokey. Click on the link below to sing along to the song.

There is another snow closure on Tuesday 6th January. Click on the link below for some activities that you might want to try.

Home Learning Grid – 6th January 2026

The nursery is closed on Monday 5th January due to the snow. If you are looking for something to do, the activities below might give you some ideas. Try to get outside and have fun in the snow if you can. I will look forward to hearing about your snowy day adventures when we return to nursery.

Home Learning Grid – 5th January 2026