Popular outdoor playgroup to expand to Keith

A much-loved outdoor playgroup is set to expand into Keith, thanks to funding from Parklands Care Homes.

Moray-based charity Earthtime will bring its popular ‘Waddle Toddle’ sessions to Weston View care home. 

The weekly 45-minute sessions are designed for families with young children aged between six months and five years, offering a mix of play, stories, songs and nature-based activities, while also creating a welcoming space for parents and carers to connect with each other and care home residents.

The new Keith programme will begin as a six-week pilot from 13 April. Earthtime also operates from Parklands and Burnbank care homes in Buckie.

Leanne Stephen, manager of Weston View, said the team is looking forward to welcoming families into the home: “We’re really excited to have Waddle Toddle coming to Weston View. 

“It’s an opportunity to build intergenerational links between the children and the residents. We have a lot of teachers here and a lot of people who worked in playgroups and nurseries. Activities like this bring a lot of joy and excitement to the care home. 

“We want to be part of the community – we want the community coming in and we want residents to feel part of the wider community, so I think it’s really important that we build those links.”

Samara Shah, Lead Officer for Earthtime, added: “It's really exciting for us to be reaching a new group of families and children and care home residents and staff in Keith. We can't wait to bring a little of our Earthtime fun and magic to Keith. We’ll be eternally grateful for the enthusiasm that Parklands brings to this project to support us coming to another location.”

Waddle Toddle takes place at the following locations:

• Weston View, Keith – Every Monday (from 13 April, 10:30–11:15am)
• Parklands & Burnbank, Buckie – Every Tuesday (10:30–11:15am)

To book a place, visit: https://earthtime.co.uk/whats-on

Sessions are free to attend, although donations to support the charity are always welcome.