The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Plans for Dalgety Bay forest playgroup are starting to take root
Parents already signing up children for new group
Plans to transform Dalgety Bay Playgroup into a forest school are taking root now a site has been secured.
The playgroup has officially changed its name to Enchanted Wood Early Years Learning and Childcare and has come to an agreement with Dalgety Bay Community Woodlands Group over the use of Hopeward Wood.
Parents are already signing up their pre-schoolers for the forest school and it is hoped sessions will start next spring.
Enchanted Wood committee member Dr Morgana McCabe Allan said: “Hopeward Wood is perfect.
“It’s half beach and half forest, which is deciduous and has bluebells. Having the beach next to the woods provides a unique educational opportunity.”
Dr McCabe Allan said the support of the woodlands group and Dalgety Bay and Hillend Community Council had helped move the project forward.
“We’ve had really good feedback from the woodland group and the community council. They have been so supportive,” she said.
The move to set up a forest school was in response to the playgroup being no longer financially viable and facing closure ahead of its 50th anniversary next year.
A number of fundraising events have been planned to support the new nursery.
Under its former name of Dalgety Bay Playgroup, Enchanted Wood is among the projects vying for funding through Tesco’s token scheme at stores in the area.
The committee, chaired by Dr Adele Ricks, has been working with Steven White, who manages Tiptoes Nursery in Stenhousemuir, which has a strong focus on outdoor learning.
Mr White said: “Through our meetings, I understood that this venture wasn’t just about a group of people following a belief that going outside is better for children.
“This was about a sustainable approach where the existence of this 50-year-old playgroup would have a better chance of seeing the next 50 years by creating a dynamic approach that would nurture not only the children and families of Dalgety Bay.
“It would also nurture the environment itself.”
Having the beach next to the woods provides a unique educational opportunity. DR MCCABE ALLAN