Early Years Scotland

02/10/2026

🌈🍎 Snack-tember Success at HMP Perth! 🍓🥒

Throughout September, Early Years Scotland, alongside Family Contact Officers Caitlin and Kayleigh at HMP Perth, celebrated Snack-tember, the British Nutrition Foundation's healthy eating initiative.

During Learning Together Through Play sessions and Family Visits, children and families enjoyed fun food-themed activities, information resources, and the opportunity to make healthy snacks together, including rainbow fruit waffles, banana sushi, vegetable fries with dips, and cheese mouse crackers.

These activities encouraged family bonding, promoted healthy eating, and helped children explore new foods. One young visitor shared:

"I loved the dip we had today. I've already asked my mum to get some when we go shopping!" 😊

Snack-tember was a fantastic way to support healthy lifestyles, strengthen family relationships, and create positive memories through play and shared learning.

A huge thank you to all the families who took part and helped make the month such a success! 💚

🍉🥕🍌🌈

02/10/2026

Our Project Managers Louise and Laura have been delivering a presentation of the HENRY programmes at the Children's Health Scotland conference in Stirling today.

Find out more on our HENRY programmes at https://earlyyearsscotland.org/henry/

02/10/2026

We're delighted to be part of the delivery of the Open Kindergarten Group Skills Training Programme alongside our valued partners.

This fully funded training opportunity, supported through the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund, will equip practitioners with practical skills and approaches to strengthen support for children and families.

We know the difference that high-quality early years support can make, and we're excited to contribute to a programme that helps build confidence, connection and positive outcomes for families across Scotland.

Find out more and register here: 🔗 https://childreninscotland.org.uk/project/open-kindergarten/

02/10/2026

Our colleagues Tracey and Wendy are on our information stand at the Children's Health Scotland conference in Stirling today.

We also have Louise and Laura delivering a presentation on the HENRY programme at the event.

30/09/2026

Your setting could win £500 in easyfundraising’s Big Grocery Bonus

Five community impact causes, including settings, will win a £500 bonus donation - and one of them could be yours.

If any parent or other supporter orders their groceries from Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose or Iceland via the easyfundraising website or app, your setting will be in the draw to win one of the £500 bonuses. As well as benefiting from a free cashback donation, courtesy of the supermarket.

Entry closes 31st October. If you haven’t already then register your setting with easyfundraising using the link below. Then ask everyone connected to your setting to join as your supporters and try it out with their next grocery shop.

Register now: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/early-years-scotland/

25/09/2026

Over the past few weeks the children have been enjoying our Little Riders and Striders at Bishopbriggs Public Park in East Dunbartonshire. 🚲

Whilst using the balance bikes, the children have been developing their balance, coordination and gross motor skills. The balance bikes have also helped children practise steering, pushing, stopping and controlling their movements, while building leg strength, confidence and body awareness. The parents even got involved in some of the races!!

After our cycling, we had a story then went on a bug hunt and found lots of bugs 🪲

24/09/2026

Please note that all of our offices and services will be closed on Friday 25 and Monday 28 September for the local holiday weekend.

24/09/2026

We've been saying a fond farewell to our colleague, Ally McKinlay, who is retiring from her role as Lead Development and Support Officer with Early Years Scotland.

Ally has worked with EYS for almost 10 years, providing valuable and highly appreciated support to our members in the Fife area.

Happy retirement Ally!

24/09/2026

From castles to cathedrals, forts and other historic places of interest, this is your opportunity to visit some of the most iconic sites across Scotland.

On the first Sunday of every month, until March 2027, Historic Environment Scotland is giving free entry to sites near you and beyond.

Giving everyone living in Scotland free access to our sites on the first Sunday of the month from October to March.

22/09/2026

We've been having lots of creative fun during our outdoor play and learning sessions at Barshaw Park in Renfrewshire.

The children have been exploring the natural environment around them and using leaves to create hedgehog collages and funny faces. This has encouraged their creativity, imagination and fine motor skills.

Some of our parents were showing off their crafting skills too!

We have also been discovering lots of ladybirds in the garden! 🐞 The children have been developing their curiosity and observation skills as they look closely at the ladybirds, talk about what they notice and learn more about the minibeasts that share our outdoor space.

Through these experiences, the children are developing their confidence, communication, creativity and understanding of the natural world, all while having fun and learning through play. 🌿💚