The Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare Class has been accredited as a Reading Schools ELC — the first nursery in Renfrewshire to win the national recognition administered by the Scottish Book Trust. The award recognises early years settings that embed books, stories, songs and rhymes into daily life to foster children's language and literacy development.
What the accreditation means locally
To gain the accreditation, staff at Bridge of Weir demonstrated sustained leadership on reading and worked closely with children and families to create what the Scottish Book Trust describes as a "reading-rich environment". The focus is on daily practices that encourage young children to enjoy stories and to share and recommend titles with one another — supporting the council’s wider aims to improve early literacy across the area.
- First in Renfrewshire: Bridge of Weir ELCC is the county's first nursery to achieve Reading Schools ELC status.
- Community involvement: Families were active participants in the programme, contributing to the setting's reading culture.
- Celebration events: The nursery marked the award with visits from children’s author Alastair Chisholm and Bookbug.
Voices from the programme
“We are so very proud of our children, staff and local community who have all helped us reach this milestone. Supporting and promoting children’s love of songs, rhyme and stories should not be a race, but a journey to nurture a lifelong love of reading.”
The comment above came from Donna Luke, Depute Head of Centre at Bridge of Weir ELCC, reflecting the collective effort behind the accreditation. Marc Lambert, chief executive of the Scottish Book Trust, also praised the achievement and its value for learners, staff and families.
Details at a glance
| Award | Organiser | Notable activity |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Schools ELC accreditation | Scottish Book Trust | Visits from Alastair Chisholm and Bookbug; family engagement |
Renfrewshire Council's education leadership welcomed the news. Councillor Emma Rodden, the council's education convener, offered congratulations to staff, children and families for their dedication to developing reading from an early age.
For local parents and practitioners the award highlights the role of early years settings in laying foundations for literacy. It may also prompt other nurseries across Renfrewshire to consider similar programmes or seek support from national bodies such as the Scottish Book Trust, as the council continues to pursue improvements in early learning outcomes.
As the authority monitors attainment and support for young learners, the Bridge of Weir accreditation provides a clear local example of practice that blends leadership, staff commitment and parental involvement to promote reading for pleasure and learning.
