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By Creative STAR The daffodils are beginning to make an appearance in North-East Scotland. This beautiful plant is a welcome sign of spring’s arrival and a great opportunity to celebrate its old and new traditions and folklore. Here are some ways to enjoy and explore the beauty of daffodils. Narcissus is the botanical name for the daffodil genus. Narcissi is...

By Creative STAR When I advised schools and preschools about planters, containers and raised beds, I would do this from a practical learning and play perspective. There are some advantages to container planting: A well-loved and looked after planter, pot or container can transform the look and feel of an outdoor space or school grounds, especially ones which are mainly...

Spring is here and we’re excited here at Cosy! Here are some of our favourite ways to share Spring with Children! Floral play Nothing quite says Summer is on its way like floral play. Whether it’s adding petals and grass to the mud kitchen, using petals in the water tray, or making paint with crushed petals, incorporating flowers in various...

British Science week is a ten day celebration (March 10th-19th ) of science, technology , engineering and maths. The theme this year is connections. This blog will share ten creative and engaging ways to utilise Cosy's Potion Making Set to get involved this year. 1.Cooking role play  Following a recipe is a great way to build those mental connections between ingredients...

Self esteem can be defined as the way in which all of us, adults and children alike, perceive ourselves. High self esteem is associated with confidence, good mental health and a sense of belonging, all things we strive to nurture in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Our intention is for children to become questioning, curious and independent learners who...

Written by Creative STAR When learning about nature and wildlife, experiential outdoor sessions need to happen. We need children to play and to practice key skills so that observing and understanding birds is a key focus of our time.  Over the decades , a number of outdoor educators such as Joseph Cornell, Steve Van Matre, Thom Henley and Jon Young...

Thankyou for working so hard on behalf of local communities and those further afield in need. It’s been another successful year National Highlights Gaia party- we celebrated  QAE /DKC 50th with charities and civics at Derby Cathedral Met & described cosy project with King Charles and Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace Award Wins Queens award for enterprise – sustainable development Partnership of...

By Juliet Robertson Here’s a few simple outdoor learning experiences and play suggestions to do that can be easily squeezed into the hectic schedules in schools and pre-schools in the run up to Christmas. No more cabin fever. Let’s get out, get more sustainable and get going with free or low cost ideas.  If you work in Early Years, some...

By Kimberly Lawson Your mental health and wellbeing matters and I remember when I was striving to be a successful early years practitioner I would attend courses, read books and reflect on my teaching daily in setting. Yet none of this had the impact I desired when I didn’t have the tools I needed to look after my own mental...

The dreary, dismal weather has been a clear indicator that we’re well into autumn now. In fact, winter is peeping around the corner, ready for us with chilly days, frosty starts and possibly snow. For some, this might signal an end to the enjoyment that the outdoors brings during the spring and summer. Although it might be colder and wetter...