First Minister’s New Year message

Nicola Sturgeon highlights priorities for coming year

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Speaking from the maternity unit at Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The staff who work here are just some of the tens of thousands across our National Health Service who give up time with their loved ones over Christmas and New Year to care for the rest of us.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of them and to the many others who work so hard, not just over the festive period, but all year round to provide us with the best possible care.

“The terrible events in Glasgow last week reminded us again of how much we owe our emergency services. Day in, day out, our police, ambulance and fire services go beyond the call of duty to look after us.

“Our thoughts and prayers today remain with the bereaved and all those affected by last week’s tragedy; and our heartfelt thanks go to those who are rallying round to provide them with love and support.

“As we look forward to a new year, it is worth thinking about the babies in this maternity ward – and about the sort of country we want them to grow up in.

“These young children are lucky to have been born into an NHS that is free at the point of need.

“Your Scottish Government – a government that I am now proud to lead – is determined to protect that principle, and we will work every day to support and improve our public national health service.

“As the boys and girls here grow up, we also want them to benefit from high quality pre-school care. That’s why in 2015, we will significantly expand childcare for two year olds – and move forward with our even more ambitious plans for the future.

“And as these babies become young adults, we want to ensure that they have the opportunity to fulfil their potential in whatever career they choose.

“I am proud that this government restored the principle of free higher education – a principle I benefitted from as a young girl.

“Now I am determined that we will step up our work to close the attainment gap between schools in different parts of Scotland, so that more young people can take advantage of that free education.

“We will also continue to support a record number of modern apprenticeships, to give our young people the skills they need and help our businesses to innovate, export and expand.

“And we will strive to create opportunities for all. The baby girls in this maternity unit deserve the same chances in life as the baby boys – the chance to succeed in fields like science and engineering, and to become senior managers, board members, even First Ministers.

“The simple fact is that if we can give every child here a fair chance to fulfil their potential, we will build a stronger, happier and more successful country.

“Doing everything I can to make that a reality is my New Year resolution and it is one my government – in partnership with many across our country – will be focussed on throughout next year.

“Despite the great sadness of recent days, there is no doubt that 2014 has been the most extraordinary year for our country. Our economy has grown and unemployment has fallen. We hosted a hugely successful Ryder Cup, and staged the best ever Commonwealth Games.

“And we had a referendum recognised around the world as a shining example of democratic engagement. A referendum that – regardless of which way you voted – empowered all of us in this country like never before.

“As the bells chime on Hogmanay, I hope that the spirit of empowerment that so lit up 2014, will guide us into the New Year. Let’s resolve not to slip back to business as usual.

“Instead, let us harness the wonderful enthusiasm and engagement of 2014 and use it to build a fairer and more prosperous Scotland for these babies to grow up in.

“Wherever you are, in Scotland or around the world; at home with family and friends, or at work – let me wish each and every one of you all the very best for a happy, peaceful and prosperous 2015.”

Record year for early years campaign

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PlayTalkRead, the Scottish Government’s early years campaign, has reached a record number of families in 2014, it was revealed today.

Visits to the website over the year were 122,965 – an increase of 50 per cent on 2013 and a 219 per cent increase on 2012. More than 43,000 people visited Benji and Bessie, the PlayTalkRead buses in 2014 – an 11 per cent increase on last year.

PlayTalkRead encourages parents and carers to play, talk and read with their young children every day to give them the essential skills, motivation and abilities that will make it easier for them to keep learning throughout their lives.

bus-realThis year also saw the pilot of a sensory playbus for children with disabilities or emotional and behavioural difficulties as part of the campaign – the first of its kind in the country.

Commenting on the campaign, Acting Minister for Children Fiona McLeod said: “As a former librarian, I’m delighted to see so many families have got involved in the PlayTalkRead campaign by either visiting the buses or the website. I hope they’ve been inspired by some of the ideas.

“Playing, talking and reading are fun ways to spend time with children from the very earliest age and helps build bonds. The PlayTalkRead buses and website are a great source of ideas and inspiration on how to turn daily routines into exciting new games.

“As a government we are determined to identify what works and ensure that the best ideas are promoted and supported more widely. That’s why we are taking the principles of PlayTalkRead and Bookbug and extending them into early primary school to develop a new Read, Write, Count campaign to boost literacy and numeracy in the critical first years of school.”

More information, including bus tour dates and locations, can be found on the PlayTalkRead website: www.playtalkread.org

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Once upon a time there was a library that grew and grew and grew …

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Edinburgh’s oldest public library reports an amazing  leap in visitor numbers following a major refurbishment …

Children enjoying the refurbished Central LibraryThe new children’s library, which was relocated from its old home on 9 George IV Bridge in May, has been transformed to feature a special ‘under 5s’ room with artwork by renowned children’s illustrator Catherine Rayner.

The space has seen a 188 per cent increase in visitors (22,178 visits) with children’s book lending up by 45 per cent (10,543 loans) on the previous year, says a report going to the Council’s Culture and Sport Committee next week.

The children’s library now has a dedicated arts and crafts area and parent friendly access including nappy changing facilities. Since the refurbishment five months ago, 16 per cent more children and their carers have been attending events at the library (1,473 visits), including the library’s popular new Lego club.

The report shows that the new music library is also proving a hit with visitors. Launched as a hub for musicians, students and fans alike, the dedicated space for engaging with music has seen a 36 per cent increase in lending (10,543) and a 26 per cent increase in visitors (11,442). The music library’s new streaming service, from Naxos, provides access to a back catalogue of over one million classical and jazz tracks and has already received over 2,100 downloads.

The new facilities have been specially designed to be accessible to all, and for the first time in 40 years allow all of the Central Library facilities to be housed in the same building. The sustainable designs means that the installation of new lighting in some parts of the building saves the library 40 per cent in electricity bills without sacrificing light output compared to the previous lighting installation.

Councillor Richard Lewis said: “The new children’s and music collections have really transformed the Central Library and it is great that the new and enhanced facilities are being so well received by visitors.

“As someone who has worked as a musician and conductor, I’m excited that the music library space is being used more and more and I urge students and those keen to explore music in their own way to pay a visit to the library and experience the facilities.

“The refurbished library offers a unique space for relaxing, reading, and so much more and I think Edinburgh residents have been quick to recognise that.”

BBC workshops to help young people speak out

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The BBC will be running a series of Free Speech workshops for young people in Edinburgh next month. The workshops, which will take place at the BBC Festival Hub on the corner of Marshall Street/Potterow from Monday 5 – Friday 9 August (not Wednesday).

The free sessions, which will run from 10am – 4pm each day, will be hosted by Tina Daheley and Rick Edwards.

The Free Speech workshops are sure to be very popular so book now via learningedfest@bbc.co.uk

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Play-Base courses at North Edinburgh Arts

We have two courses coming up at North Edinburgh Arts Centre:
Our Child Safety and  storytelling courses as introductory childcare courses which benefit women  looking for a career in childcare as well mothers interested in their own  parenting.

Our Storyelling course  is especially popular with students interested in child development and speech  development in children. All students will receive a certificate for both  courses.

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Jennifer Ba
Training Support Worker, Play-Base Edinburgh
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