Category: West Lothian Council Information

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No Dogs Allowed

Unfortunately it has been brought to our attention that some families are bringing their dogs onto school grounds. West Lothian council operate a policy of no dogs on school grounds and we would ask that families adhere to this. It is also important to be mindful that some of our children may have a fear of dogs or are allergic to them.

 

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Best Start Grant

Best Start Grant is a new package of three payments from Social Security Scotland intended to give extra money to lower income families during the early years of a child’s life.

Applications are already open for the Best Start Pregnancy and Baby payment of £600 for a first child and £300 for subsequent children.

The new Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment is £250 for children aged two to three and a half.  Applications open 29 April 2019.

The Best Start School Age payment (a one off payment of £250 available to children due to start P1) – applications open on 3 June 2019.

These grants are separate from the school clothing grants available from West Lothian Council.  If eligible you can receive both.

For more information or to check if you are eligible to apply,you can contact West Lothian Council’s Advice Shop 01506 283000 option 4. Or you can apply online at https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant/

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Fraser Park Pump Track

You will be aware that the West Lothian Council Pump Track is now open. Although it is close to the school it is not part of our school property and is part of a public park.

At assembly on Friday I explained to the children that they should:

  • wear protective gear when using the track including a helmet
  • ask permission from their parent/ carer before using the track
  • be coming straight to school in the mornings as their parent/ carer will be expecting them to go to breakfast club/ supervised playground.

As a school we will:

  • use our junior leadership groups to make an advice video about how to safely use the track
  • continue to work with the community council into how we can use the track
  • look into partnerships with organisations who can support the school and community with developing the children’s pump track skills on how to use it safely.
  • give P4-7 the opportunity to walk around the pump track in their trainers so they can get a feel for what it is like
  • go over the safety sign with P4-7 children.

Some tips on using the track are:

  • Follow the safety rules on the sign that is positioned beside the track
  • Encourage your children to walk or run around the track in their trainers before they take their scooter or bike anywhere near it. This is something that expert mountain-bikers do when they try out a new route, so they know what features are there, how it feels to be on the track, where any riskier or more challenging elements are and to make sure they are prepared for it.
  • Children should also be very comfortable and confident with how to control their speed on their wheeled ‘vehicle’, beforethey try out the track. It is not a good idea to try out a new bike/scooter/skateboard/skates on the track. It is best to wait until they have been tried out elsewhere and then use the track.
  • If children really want to use the track but are not very confident, they can start at one of the low points on the track, rather than at the official starting area up high, and stay low on the track (i.e. do not go too high up on the corners). That way they can get a feel for the track without starting off at speed and they will not generate quite so much speed as they go round. It does mean that they will have to pedal, but as they get more confident, they can start higher up and pedal less.

This is an exciting opportunity for our community, however it is important to me that the safety of our children comes first.

Miss Burton

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The Cost of the Nursery Day

We want to make sure that all children are able to make the most of the nursery day and that no child misses out on anything. Your answers to this survey will help us check whether any costs are causing concerns for our families and children and see whether there is anything that we can do to help out. Your voice is really important and we want to hear from as many parents and carers as possible. If you would like a paper copy of this survey to complete please ask staff at your child’s nursery or early years centre.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

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