THE MISSION Macmerry Nursery and the early years woodwork project

In 2021 the staff team at Macmerry identified an area of the nursery that needed developed. Initially responding to an individual child’s interests to support development, learning and inclusion, they realised that the opportunities they were providing for children to access woodwork were limited. During staff research and development the importance of woodwork was highlighted in the early years, and how it can support early literacy and numeracy development as well as a wide range of curricular areas.

From this they created The ‘Macmerry Nursery Early Years Woodwork Project’ to support themselves in funding the development of this project.

Macmerry Nursery sent approximately 58 letters to local businesses within Macmerry Industrial state to ask for support in helping is raise £1000 to buy some new resources and a tool bench. Very quickly donations started coming in and we surpassed our target.

WHY WOODWORK YOU ASK?

Woodwork - using ‘real’ tools - is an enjoyable and unique learning opportunity for children. They are surrounded by complex technology every day, which limits their use of simple technology, and woodwork allows them to get back to basics. Woodwork helps to provide essential skills for everyday life.

Personal, social and emotional development is at the heart of woodwork, but it also aids physical development, creative and mathematical thinking, scientific investigation and developing language and more. Holding a nail and using a screwdriver also help to develop fine motor skills. Using a hammer, wrench or saw supports gross motor skill development. Woodwork supports a more proactive approach to risk and the benefit of risk to the young people in the setting. This is done within a safe, supporting and appropriate setting. Find out more here.

RESULTS

Their initial target of £1000 was to buy suitable woodwork tools for children and a woodwork bench. 'We could never have imagined how much the project would take off and get so much community support. From this we have been able purchase specific staff training, build a brand new outdoor woodworking shed/classroom for the children to access and we are about to purchase an extensive selection of new resources. Thanks to all of our very generous donations and support we have raised nearly £3000. A massive thanks to all the companies that have supported our project so far.'

Please note the information provided above was extracted from The Macmerry Nursery Early Years Woodwork Project Newsletter.

WHY DID ST.ANDREWS SUPPORT MACMERRY NURSERY and THE EARLY YEARS WOODWORK PROJECT?

Being involved in the building industry which has long been described as an ageing industry, we are all for encouraging the development of woodworking and other practical skills. If even one young persons interest in learning carpentry, or perhaps another trade could be sparked, we would regard that as a success. Not to mention the amazing, kind and hardworking staff that are plowing hours of their free time into improving the learning opportunities available to the young children in the nursery. It truly was a no brainer when we were approached by the nursery. View the Macmerry school & nursery website here.