January 2026

January has been a productive and positive start to the year at Denmore, with a strong focus on quality practice, staff development and welcoming new families into our nursery.

We have enjoyed welcoming families into the nursery to look around and, as a result, have been delighted to welcome new children into the setting. Supporting smooth transitions and building strong relationships with families continues to be a priority for us.

Management training was delivered to Lyndsay and the wider Banana Moon management team by Nicola and Declan from the Banana Moon Franchise. This was a valuable opportunity to share current best practice, guidance and frameworks, as well as to introduce new documents to support consistency and high standards across settings.

Staff wellbeing remains a key focus here at Denmore. Our wellbeing check-in opportunities provide a safe and supportive space for staff to talk openly, with plans put in place where support is needed. These opportunities continue to contribute to a harmonious, supported and resilient team.

Alongside this, we continue to challenge and support staff through practice-based supervisions, encouraging reflection and setting new goals to work towards, supporting both professional growth and high-quality outcomes for children.

We have been working closely in collaboration with Aberlour Futures. Alison, the assessor, has been in the setting observing staff practice and signing up a new SVQ candidate, further strengthening our commitment to professional development.

A full nursery fire drill was carried out this month and we are extremely proud of the team. The entire nursery was evacuated calmly and efficiently in 3 minutes and 33 seconds, with no fuss from any of the children – an excellent result.

Lyndsay also delivered room leader training with Aimee, April and Kerry. This was a very effective session, promoting innovation, reflection and new ways of working within the rooms.

Many staff completed allergen refresher training, providing reassurance and peace of mind for parents and carers of children with allergies.

We also welcomed a supportive visit from our EYSO, Declan, from the Banana Moon Franchise, and have been working closely on preparations for our upcoming Safeguarding Audit, ensuring we continue to operate to the highest possible standards.

Staff practice continues to be regularly monitored, allowing us to recognise areas of strength as well as identify opportunities for improvement. This remains a valuable tool in assessing and enhancing the quality of our provision.

The children and staff enjoyed sharing the love for Valentine’s Day, as well as learning about Scottish culture and traditions for Robert Burns Day, creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences.

Finally, a huge congratulations to Kayleigh, who has now qualified as an Early Years Practitioner after successfully completing her SSCYP Level 7 – a fantastic achievement and one we are very proud of.

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