Cairns Early Childhood Centre in Kilmarnock is set to benefit from a donation by Barratt Homes that will help the early learning centre upgrade its outdoor space for the children and babies who use its garden.
The funding was awarded as part of Barratt Homes' seasonal campaign to give local schools and nurseries a cash boost to upgrade or create eco-friendly spaces in areas near its new housing developments.
Planting Roots campaign
The campaign, named Planting Roots, invited selected primary schools and nurseries across Scotland to transform their outdoor spaces, with five taking part across the country. Each participating school or nursery received £500 from Barratt and David Wilson Homes to invest in their grounds and create spaces for outdoor learning and natural play.
At Cairns Early Childhood Centre in Altonhill Avenue, the funding has been put towards upgrading the garden space used by the children and babies at the nursery, creating an eco-fence that provides privacy while they play and a naturally biodiverse habitat for insect life.
Community support
Victoria Black, Sales Adviser at Barratt Homes' nearby Lairds Gait development in Kilmarnock, said: "Supporting local schools and nurseries is something we care deeply about which is why we are so pleased to support Cairns Early Childhood Centre with this donation. The children will benefit from the natural eco-fence, all while supporting and maintaining a natural habitat for our bug life."
Nursery children have been involved throughout, helping to plan, plant and tend to the new growing space. Outdoor learning supports children's wellbeing, creativity and connection with nature from an early age.
Children's involvement
Martin McMullen, Senior Early Learning & Childcare Practitioner, said: "Creating this new nursery space has been a wonderful experience for our children to get involved with. They have been helping to select the plants, dig the holes and watch them grow since it was installed. The project has sparked a real curiosity in them which has been wonderful to witness. We're grateful to Barratt and David Wilson Homes for making it possible."
Four other schools and nurseries across Scotland are involved in the initiative, including in Aberdeen, Nairn, Fife and Edinburgh.
Cairns Early Childhood Centre is located near to Barratt Homes' Lairds Gait site, currently building three and four-bedroom homes from £229,995. Barratt Homes' sister brand, David Wilson Homes, is also creating a community of three and four-bedroom homes at its own Lairds Gait development, with prices starting from £272,995.
