Holyrood praise for Keith toddlers group

CHILDREN from a Keith nursery have earned the praise of politicians at the Scottish Parliament.

Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston submitted a motion congratulating Keith Play Centre on winning the ELC Academy’s award for the environment.

The motion states the parliament is "impressed" by the not-for-profit nursery's fruitful success in growing and harvesting their own produce. Their fruit and vegetables are sold to the local community and the cash is reinvested to buy more seeds for the following year's planting.

Mr Halcro Johnston said: "I thought it was fantastic that the children at the Keith Play Centre had won this award.

"It’s really important that our young people have real-life experiences of the natural world and learning to grow fruit and vegetables is a great way to start that journey.

"There are considerable health and welfare benefits to be gained from time spent outdoors and the activities here seem well designed to encourage that.

"My very warm congratulations to the staff and parents for encouraging this activity and I hope their work goes from strength to strength in future years."

The youngsters venture out of the classroom every day from Monday to Friday, regardless of the weather. And once a week, the three to five-year-olds spend all day in the woods, digging fire pits and chopping wood under supervision.

Carlene Harding, who runs the nursery, said they aimed to inspire children to enjoy the wonder of nature.

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