Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare Class has become the first nursery in Renfrewshire to be awarded the Reading Schools ELC accreditation, a Scottish Book Trust programme that supports early years settings in building strong reading cultures.
What the accreditation recognises
The accolade acknowledges the nursery’s work to make books, stories, songs and rhymes a regular part of children’s days and celebrates practical, creative steps taken to encourage reading. Inspectors recognised features such as cosy book corners and outdoor libraries, as well as activities that involve families and encourage children to recommend favourite stories to one another.
Voices from the nursery and the trust
"Thank you to Debbie and all the staff at the Scottish Book Trust. They have supported us the whole way through the process for our Reading Schools ELCC Accreditation. 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 comments above came from Donna Luke, depute head of centre at Bridge of Weir ELCC, who emphasised the team effort involved in achieving the recognition.
Marc Lambert, chief executive of Scottish Book Trust, said the trust was "thrilled" that Bridge of Weir had become the first setting in Renfrewshire to receive this status. He described the accreditation as "a fantastic accomplishment for learners, staff and families" and a way of celebrating their commitment to early‑years literacy.
How the nursery marked the achievement
A celebration event at the nursery featured a reading by children’s author Alastair Chisholm from his book Inch and Grub, and a special appearance by Bookbug, the familiar character from the national book gifting programme. Local elected representatives also offered congratulations.
- First nursery in Renfrewshire to receive Reading Schools ELC accreditation
- Recognised for creating a reading‑rich environment and engaging families
- Celebration included an author visit and Bookbug appearance
Why this matters locally
Early literacy interventions are widely accepted as crucial to children’s later attainment and social development. Accreditation schemes such as the Reading Schools ELC set out practical expectations and provide support to early years settings, helping to embed reading into everyday practice rather than leaving it to chance. For Bridge of Weir, the award is both recognition and a statement of intent to continue building a culture of reading across the community.
| Setting | Award | Awarding body |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare Class | Reading Schools ELC accreditation | Scottish Book Trust |
For other nurseries and early years providers, the Scottish Book Trust programme offers a framework for action: from creating book‑friendly spaces to involving families and encouraging children’s recommendations. Those interested in developing similar initiatives can approach the trust for guidance on the accreditation pathway.
This recognition places Bridge of Weir ELCC at the forefront of early‑years reading provision in Renfrewshire and highlights the continuing push to give children the best possible start with books and language right from the nursery years.
