An Aberdeen pre-school nursery has called on its local community to participate in a Big Dig event as part of on-going efforts to encourage children into the outdoors.
The Clockwork Pre-School Nursery, based in Altens, is inviting neighbours, friends and families to join its Big Dig days on March 19 and 20, where it will plant 60 bare root whips as part of the nursery’s outdoor education drive.
This event follows a long-standing relationship, fostered by the nursery, to encourage children to learn about nature and engage with the outdoors.
The Woodland Trust has provided the 60 whips, or baby trees, to enable the children to create a biodiverse hedge at the site on Nigg Kirk Road.
Jill Clark, childcare director at the nursery, said: “Outdoor learning is an important part of the curriculum for excellence, and we make sure the children get outside to play or visit our allotment every day.
“For our hedgerow, we have chosen four species of tree including hawthorn, holly, dogwood and dog rose, which will give us a beautiful hedge of native plants.
“Every tree will belong to an individual child, who will plant it with the help of volunteers, and over the coming months watch how it grows.
“We hope that, in time, as trees produce berries, they will attract wildlife including birds, butterflies and insects, which the children will love.
“We have large outdoor playing areas, separated by age group, and we use vegetables from our allotment to make soup, so the new hedge is just a continuation of our love of the outdoors.
“The children all have bright red outdoor suits to keep warm and dry.”
“We would like people to come along with their spades and gloves to help us plant the trees. We will of course provide all volunteers with a cup of tea and a slice of cake and everyone can enjoy watching the plants grow over the years.”
Diggers are invited to be at Clockwork Pre-School Nursery between 10.30 am and 11.30am on Saturday and Sunday. You can call 01224 878776 for more details.