Pocket garden success
From May 2026, the children have been busy designing and creating their own Pocket Garden as part of the Keep Scotland Beautiful Pocket Garden Competition.
Using a recycled bath, the children transformed the space into a garden with three special areas. Food for people and animals, wildflowers for bees and butterflies, and a water habitat to support wildlife. Along the way, the children learned how food waste can be turned into compost, how rainwater can be collected and reused, and why fresh water is so important for plants, animals and people.
The children worked hard to prepare the garden, plant seeds, explore habitats and care for their growing plants. We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm, teamwork and commitment to caring for our environment.
Although the competition has now come to an end, our Pocket Garden journey is far from over. The children continue to visit the garden every day to water the plants, care for the growing areas and observe changes over time.
As the vegetables grow, the children will harvest and enjoy the food they have grown themselves. We will continue to monitor and record the growth of the plants throughout the different seasons, helping the children develop an understanding of seasonal change and the life cycle of plants.
Each spring, the children will plant new seeds and continue to build on their learning about food growing, wildlife, sustainability and the importance of fresh water, ensuring that our Pocket Garden remains a valuable part of our nursery environment for years to come.
CONGRATULATIONS MRS WILKIE
Lifetime Achievement Award 2025
A much deserved congratulations goes out to our very own Mrs Wilkie, on winning the ‘The National Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the Scottish Nursery Awards 2025!!
The Scottish Nursery Awards recognise excellence in the early years sector, shining a spotlight on the outstanding nurseries, teams and individuals in Scotland who are going above and beyond to nurture young minds.
It was a glitzy Oscar-style ceremony held on 22nd November at the Glasgow Marriott as Alisa picked up her award for work at Bardykes Farm Nursery School.
Her proud husband Sandy (Mr Wilkie) said, “I’m a very proud husband! Indeed, I’m very happy to sing her praises for the sterling job she’s done in launching, managing, nurturing and maintaining the nursery, nowadays along with our daughter dear, who continues to develop Bardykes Farm Nursery School. Well done!”
Congratulations Mrs Wilkie. Such recognition is thoroughly deserved and we may also take this opportunity to say well done too, to the hard working staff who collectively make Bardykes Nursery such a special place.
SSSC Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and Employers
A couple of team members from Bardykes Farm Nursery School took part in the recent SSSC Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and Employers video
See the video HERE
Children and Staff at Bardykes Present Nativity Story
Every year, at Bardykes Farm Nursery School in Blantyre, the children and staff present the Nativity story to families and friends. In December 2024, it was decided to donate the monies raised through ticket sales, a tombola and baking sales to RHET Clyde. Owner of the Nursery, Ailsa Wilkie, is pictured above with Manager Katie and RHET Clyde Coordinator, Kris with some of the children who were involved in the Nativity when a cheque for £500 was presented. Also pictured are the Nursery's pet lambs, Meryl Sheep and Lady Baa Baa! Many thanks to the Nursery staff, families and RHET Clyde's committee who helped with this and of course, the children.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards 2025
This year, they saw exceptionally high-quality entries from educational settings across the UK and we are thrilled to share with you that The 'Bardykes Farm Nursery School' Early Years Team has been awarded Bronze Winner status by the judges in the The Award for Early Years Team of the Year category.
UK's Best Outdoor Learning Evnironment
We are delighted to be recognised as the UK's best outdoor learning environment by Nursery Management Today
Apply for a place at our nursery HERE
