Salmon farmer helps nursery children weather the winter
Outdoor types say there’s no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothing, and a donation from a Scottish salmon farmer has helped children at a nursery prove that adage.
Rainbow Child Care in Dunstaffnage, near Oban, has bought new sets of waterproof clothing for six members of staff and 60 children thanks to funding from Scottish Sea Farms’ Heart of the Community Trust. This has enabled the youngsters, aged between three and five, to play outside for longer in the frequently rainy west coast climate.
The donation followed a request from Rainbow Child Care to David Duffy, manager of SSF’s Dunstaffnage farm, whose wife Jane works at the nursery.
Covid colours
“Rainbow Child Care provides a fantastic learning experience to the children of Oban and surrounding areas and we were delighted to assist in keeping them and the staff team warm, dry and happy,” Duffy said.
The all-weather gear was delivered in just over a month and comes in two distinct colours, 30 red and 30 navy, to keep the children in separate, Covid-secure ‘bubbles’.
Safer outside
Jane Duffy explained: “Before Covid, a lot of our learning was outside but since the pandemic we’re outdoors 50% of the time because it’s a safer environment.
“We don’t go out if there is a yellow weather warning, but if it’s just rainy or windy we’ll be out in the open air.
“That means the children’s own suits can get soaked in the morning so having additional waterproofs to go back out in the afternoon is a godsend for us. We’re extremely grateful to Scottish Sea Farms.”
Manager Olivia Morgan said: “Our staff team aspire to provide excellent outdoor experiences and are often forced to come in early as their outdoor clothing does not stand the test of time. This makes a big difference.”
