Published Date: 25th May 2022 | Location: Faifley

The Learn and Grow project in Auchnacraig Early Education and Childcare Centre has been an integral element in forging new partnerships with our local community, Bellsmyre Community Gardens, Choices, Knowes Housing, Edinbarnet Primary School and really engaging our parents in the life and development of the centre. The outdoor learning space was tired and uninviting for the children to play and explore their interests. Equipment was unsafe and the Sensory Garden was overgrown and closed off due to the lack of maintenance. Unfortunately, the Forest School Site was in the same condition and a much needed, vital resource remained stagnant. The staff team knew what they wanted to change but lacked the adequate skills and knowledge to achieve their goal, professional aid was required and thankfully The Leamy Foundation were available for help, support and advice.

Their input and commitment has been invaluable. At the initial consultation a survey of the outdoor learning space was carried out by key partners in the venture to organise an appropriate targeted response. This was paramount to enable a collaborative and inclusive approach to ensuring the success of the Learn and Grow project. We recognised that a potential barrier was lack of knowledge, skills and self-confidence in people knowing what to grow, how to grow it and how to look after it. The Leamy Foundation organised regular fun informal training sessions and workshops for both staff, parents and children which have had a huge impact not only in the centre but for children and families at home. The nursery garden is blooming with fruit and veg and so are the gardens in the Faifley community!! The outdoor space has been transformed and is safe, vibrant and stimulating, we now have an amazing growing space both indoors and out. A new growing station has been introduced indoors to compliment the learning outdoors, this is accompanied by the children's responsibilities to look after living things such as our guinea pigs. Free flow play has now been introduced between the indoor and outdoor environment, enabling children to engage in a wider variety of experiences, encouraging curiosity and stimulating their interests.

Parental engagement in the centre has vastly improved because of the opportunities that are now available through the introduction of the project. They can choose when they want to help in the garden and spend as little or as much time as they want to. Parents are now offering to paint fences or clear areas and have recently created a WhatsApp chat so they can co-ordinate watering the fruit trees during the summer break. The Leamy Foundation have committed to supporting these parents to become leaders in managing the garden project so that ultimately Auchnacraig ELCC will have a self-sufficient gardeners group run by parents, with the ability and confidence to pass on their knowledge to new parents and thus, the project will continue to be sustained and grow and develop in the future. This year Auchnacraig ELCC won second place in the WDC Amazing Things Award largely due to the success of the Learn and Grow project and as a direct result in the input provided by The Leamy Foundation.

"The environment has become a safe and fun place to learn and play. We have grown as a team and community with just some seeds and soil!" - Claire Campbell, Early Education and Childcare Officer.

"Fab way to get involved and join in your child's learning in the nursery environment, it also feels good to contribute to the nursery grounds too. And the kids get to see progress of their work as the flowers and veg grow." - Louise, amazing parent helper!

"This has been an amazing project to be part of and it continues to grow in excitement and anticipation for the staff, parents and young learners of Auchnacraig ELCC. Thank you to the Leamy Foundation for all you have done for us and your continued support and commitment" - Anne Rocks, Head of Centre..