Youngsters from a Coatbridge nursery had a unique outdoor experience as they celebrated their graduation and prepared to head to primary school.
Our Lady & St Joseph’s nursery in Glenboig held a first-ever forest celebration, setting up a host of adventurous activities for the children and their families as they marked the special milestone together.
Each pupil had a “class of 2022” T-shirt and was presented with a special gift and certificate in the woodland ceremony, complete with decorations, lights and bunting.
Nursery staff transformed the woodland area close to their South Medrox Road campus, and described the event as “a magical experience [which] put our children and families at the heart of our celebration”.
Youngsters and their loved ones sowed sunflower seeds in special keepsake pots, made nature wands and crowns with sticks and leaves, and toasted marshmallows round a campfire as they demonstrated their outdoor and safety skills learned during the past year.
Participants of all ages also tried out tree swings, hammocks and a climbing slack line set up for the day; while the celebration concluded with the nursery pupils receiving their presentations in a beautifully-decorated woodland fairy ring alongside their families.
Staff were thrilled by the success of their innovative forest celebration, saying that the active and outdoor celebration “challenged expectations” and meant that the youngsters, aged three to five, were “at the forefront”.
Early years principal lead Mari Carr said: “Outdoor learning and play is embedded within our nursery and instead of a formal gowned ceremony, we created a magical experience in our local forest.
“Children and families came to celebrate their nursery journey coming to an end, and our woodland area was transformed by the staff with photos, twinkly lights, natural bunting and lots of personalised extras.
“Families were actively involved and engaged with the whole experience, making memories with their children, and this was a celebration they could share.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the feedback and we’re incredibly proud of its success and the support we have had from our families and community.”
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