The project is delivered by Lilian Ross, a well known traditional singer, storyteller and writer who has a wealth of experience in working with children of various ages across the Highlands.

Starting in February 2008, the style of delivery has evolved to become a very child led process – children and staff discuss what they would like to do in their workshops and mind map their plan of ideas and suggestions and carry out  a review at the end of each workshop. To date some 134 children aged 4 – 12 years and 33 staff from 12 groups have participated in the project, with a further 4 groups scheduled for delivery by November. 

Activities to date have included traditional ‘street’ games with rhymes, skipping and ball games, rap, beat box, percussion, hula hoops, rhythmical parachute play, song writing, street dance, recording sounds, story telling, dance and rhythmical movement.

This year’s work will culminate in a Rhythm & Rhyme Gala to be held in the Spring - date and venue to be announced. The Gala will be free and open to all and will showcase children and staff from each group who will be invited to perform their favourite songs, rhymes, games or dance from the project.

The process will be repeated in year 2 to build on the progress made in the first year. Of children involved to date, over two thirds have expressed an interest in being involved in compiling a Rhythm & Rhyme CD – when completed, this CD will be gifted to each group to help sustain the continuation of Rhythm & Rhyme activities after the end of the project.

The project not only benefits children -  participating staff receive a CALA training
certificate and direct links are made with the CALA Out of School Quality Assurance Programme. Staff feedback to date includes:

“I think the sessions have been very good, the children and I have thoroughly enjoyed them and the coach was very nice and very helpful.”

“We will keep using all the games to improve our after school club.”

“The children liked doing the activities with Lilian and talked about it after she had gone.”

“It was great to have some fresh ideas!”

“Really enjoyed R & R and intend to keep it going.”

1st October 2008

Crossing Borders Project

This is a new and exciting project to be delivered by CALA in partnership with Highland Council Childcare Partnership.  The main objective is to give advice and guidance on how to improve access and reduce barriers for non English speaking migrant families looking to access childcare centres.

CALA will be employing a bi-lingual Family Transition Co-ordinator to liaise between local migrant families, established Polish networks, Health Visitors and community based centres and groups.  We will ensure that parents (primarily mothers) are fully aware of ante and pre natal information, general good health practice and develop their awareness of access and involvement in childcare and early education community groups.

This project is now under way.  During the summer months CALA advertised the post of Family Transition Co-ordinator, and appointed Kasia Boesche who started at the beginning of the academic year in August 2008.

31st October 2008