Laura's Childcare

Last February date ❗

Friday 28th February

March dates ❗

Saturday 1st March ❌
Friday 7th March ❌
Saturday 8th March
Friday 14th March
Friday 28th March ❌
Saturday 29th March ❌

Message me to get booked in 😁

Hi everyone! ❗*Nanny Available* ❗

As of mid March I will be moving on from my current nanny family (the child is going to nursery) so will have nannying availability Monday to Thursday. I have over 10 years experience working with children from ages 4 months up to 12 years old in nurseries and as a nanny. I can provide excellent references. I am PVG registered, and have my First Aid, amongst other qualifications. I have my level SVQ 3 and 4 in children and young people.

Please let me know if you or if you know anyone looking for a full time nanny.

Thank you!

An exciting dinosaur model trail touring the UK, is arriving in Midlothian next month!

The Iconic Bricks Dinosaur Trail will be part of a two-week event running from 01 – 16 February. This will be a free fun family friendly trail located around Dalkeith which brings dinosaurs to life using model bricks.

There will also be an opportunity to take part in a challenge and win prizes. The dinosaur models will be on display in local businesses. Locations to be announced soon.

We will keep you posted!

Hi everyone - I haven't posted my availability in a while so here it is below ❗

January:
Friday 17th January evening ✅

I do have midweek evening availability - just ask. (Too many to write here!)

February:
Friday 14th February evening❌
Friday 28th February evening✅
(Also midweek evening availability!).

March:
Saturday 1st March evening✅
Saturday 8th March evening✅
Saturday 15th March evening❌
Friday 28th March evening✅
(Also midweek evening availability!)

Happy New Year when it comes everyone ❤ grateful for all the children i've gotten to meet and look after this year and grateful for returning families. See you in 2025 💥✨

New date added 🤩

Discounted Admission Prices at FSZ! 🎉

Starting today (1st November), enjoy significantly reduced prices on our day admission tickets! 🦁🐒🦎

🎟️ New Ticket Prices:

• Adults: £12.00
• Concessions: £10.00
• Children: £6.00
• Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children): £33.00

📅 This special offer is available from 1st - 14th November – don’t miss out!

Note: This offer applies to day admission tickets only and does not include the zoo illuminations.

Tickets are available at the entry desk upon arrival. Day admission tickets cannot be bought in advance.

📸 Peter Baird

Hi everyone 👋 hope you're all well!

I haven't popped my availability down in a while as i've been so busy - I do still have some dates between now and Christmas for babysitting.

Friday 8th November evening ✅
Saturday 9th November evening ❌
Saturday 23rd November evening✅
Friday 29th November evening ❌
Saturday 30th November evening ❌
Friday 13th December evening ❌
Friday 27th December evening ✅
Saturday 28th December evening ❌

I do also have new year availability in the evenings - (29th, 30th & 31st).

Let me know if you'd like booked in or if you have any questions 😁

Very local play bus!

This!

It's here! Some of you have been asking about it already, so by popular request it's back for another year - my big, bumper issue of things to do in Edinburgh over the October half-term holidays that won't break the bank. We’ve got museums, libraries, outdoor events and activities, play parks, cheap day trip suggestions and more! The majority of events are free, or are low cost (e.g. the annual Botanics trail). It has been a real labour of love pulling all this together, and I hope you all find something to enjoy.

https://www.thebearandthefox.com/october-holiday-events-in-edinburgh-that-wont-break-the-bank/

Featuring:
National Museums Scotland
National Galleries of Scotland
Museum on the Mound
Lauriston Castle
St Cecilia's Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh
Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage
National Library of Scotland
Oxgangs Library
McDonald Road Library
Corstorphine Library
Dynamic Earth
The Wee Hub brought to you by The Living Memory Association
North Merchiston Club
Craigmillar Castle Park
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life
And more!

Some events are drop-in, some require booking even though they’re free. Usual disclaimer, all info correct at the time of writing, but please do double check details before travelling!

Have a great Autumn everyone! And keep checking back here for the latest news and updates xx

Ohhhh this sounds lush!

Making Your Christmas Magical ✨🎄

Step into the magic of WinterFest this Christmas at Dalkeith Country Park. Glide across the NEW outdoor Ice Rink under twinkling lights, or join Santa for a special group session at ‘A Tale with Santa’ in The Christmas Cabin.

Enjoy Elf Storytelling, race through the Festive Doddie Dash, get creative in the Kids’ Christmas Workshops, or gather friends to craft something special in Restoration Yard’s Wreath Making Workshops. And don’t miss a magical start to the day at Breakfast with Santa.

Plan your perfect festive day out and soak up the Christmas spirit at WinterFest! Find out more: https://bit.ly/4d9POO5

What a day yesterday! 🦆🦆

Hello everyone 👋👋

Apologies for how quiet my page has been the last few months, i've been settling into my new job and just been super busy! I am still available for babysitting / ad hoc nannying if anyone is looking 😁 I don't have any September availability left due to holidays and booked sits, but I have some availability left for October! Look forward to seeing everyone again soon hopefully!

Today I took the girl I nanny for to see Bubbalicious at the Fringe. I highly recommend. Only 30 minutes long so perfect for wee ones who can't sit for so long. Lovely hosts who made everyone feel welcome and were so engaging, and all in all just a great wee show to support!

What’s on in Edinburgh this week? Summer holidays are coming to an end and so are many of the holiday programmes, but we’ve heat peak festival season. Here’s a round-up of free family-friendly events happening around Edinburgh this week (Mon 12 August - Sun 18 August).

*****

MUSEUMS, GALLERIES & LIBRARIES
🌍 25 Years of Scotland’s Science Discoveries - free activities at Dynamic Earth
Daily until Mon 26 August, 10am - 4pm; drop-in
https://dynamicearth.org.uk/event/free-activities-25-years-of-scotlands-science-discoveries/

⭐️ Glider Races at McDonald Rd Library
Tues 13 August, 12pm
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=904901225009323&set=a.463742402458543

🚒 Bookbug at the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage
Weds 14 August, 9:30am - 10am; registration required
https://museumofscottishfireheritage.org/event/bookbug-at-the-museum-10/

🐾 Summer Family Trail at St Cecilia’s Hall
Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am - 3pm (until 17 August)
https://www.stcecilias.ed.ac.uk/whats-on/

🪙 Coin Striking at Museum on the Mound
Tuesdays to Saturdays, 2:30pm - 4pm; drop-in (until 17 August)
https://museumonthemound.com/

🖼️ ‘A View from my Window’ art workshop at City Art Centre
Sat 17 August, 2pm - 4pm; drop-in
https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/view-my-window

🌿 Nature Prints, Lauriston Castle
Sun 18 August, 12pm - 2pm; drop-in
https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/nature-prints

*****

FESTIVAL TIME:

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL -
Free Drop-in Events in the Children’s Tent
🌿Mon 12 Aug: Paper & Nature Workshop (10:30am - 1:30pm)
✂️ Tues 13 Aug: Make a Zine (12pm-2pm & 2:30pm-4:30pm)
📚 Wed 14 Aug: Gaelic Bookbug (10am & 11am, 30 mins); Pop in and Play! (12 - 4pm)
🎶 Thurs 15 Aug: Pop in and Play! (12-1pm), Rhymetime with Joy Tots (2pm - 2:30pm), Family Beats & Grooves with FATOWL (3pm - 4pm)
🚀 Sat 17 Aug: Space Explorers (10am-11am), Meet Supertato (11:30am - 12pm), Wheely Wonderful (1pm - 4:30pm)
🐻 Sun 18 Aug: Amazing Animals (10am - 11am), Meet Supertato (11:30am - 12pm), Wheely Wonderful (1pm - 4:30pm)
Most of these free events are listed under https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/events?strand_id=42

EDINBURGH DEAF FESTIVAL
⭐️ Family BSL Class
Mon 12 August, 1pm - 2pm; booking required
“a valuable opportunity for deaf children to learn BSL alongside their siblings, parents, and other family member”
https://edinburghdeaffestival.com/mec-events/family-bsl-class2/?occurrence=2024-08-12

⚗️ BSL Science Show
Sun 18 August, 3:30pm - 4:30pm; booking required
https://edinburghdeaffestival.com/mec-events/bsl-science-show/?occurrence=2024-08-18&time=1723995000

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE
🎉 Free Fringe Day at Valley Park Community Centre
Fri 16 August, 11am - 3:30pm; drop-in (all ages)
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=919626276874911&set=a.465205105650366

🏅 The Comedy Games with Coach Mon at Valley Park Community Centre
Fri 16 August, 1:45pm - 2:30pm; drop-in (age 3+)
Part of the free Community Fringe Day
(submitted via Instagram)

PLUS: Check out my overview of free family-friendly shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe https://www.thebearandthefox.com/edinburgh-festival-fringe-2024-free-family-events/

*****

FREE CINEMA
🍿 Apple TV + Children's Hour at Everyman Cinema:
Monday 12 August - Friday 16 August, daily at 9:30am. Booking required.
Everyman Cinema at the St James Quarter are hosting a season of free 1 hr family friendly screenings; part of the Apple TV + Children's Hour, with juice boxes and popcorn included!
https://www.everymancinema.com/events/22792-apple-tv-childrens-hour/

🍿 Lonkero Free Outdoor Cinema at Edinburgh Street Food
Monday 12 August - Thursday 15 August, daily at 12pm & 3pm
Friday 15 August & Saturday 17 August at 12pm
Films include Mulan, Matilda, Barbie, Kung Fu Panda, Frozen, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the Shrek franchise
https://edinburgh-street-food.com/whats-on/

*****

OTHER FREE EVENTS
⚽️ Smaland Sport Day at IKEA Edinburgh
Mon 12 to Weds 14 August, 10am - 5:45pm (for children visiting the Creche)
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/stores/events/ikea-edinburgh/smaland-sports-day--ba8afef1-74ac-45d9-bfe9-166439992576/

⭐️ Make Mess Matter at IKEA Edinburgh
Tues 13 August, 11am - 12pm; drop-in
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/stores/events/ikea-edinburgh/make-mess-matter--aeed4e3b-3126-49d1-9694-4e0f0bc3a54e/

💻 Digital Skills 4 Girls: Electronic Sculpture Workshop at CodeBase (age 10+)
Tues 13 August, 5:30pm - 7pm; registration required
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digital-skills-4-girls-edinburgh-electronic-sound-sculpture-workshop-tickets-955909068757

💻 Prewired Programming Club for under 19s at CodeBase
Weds 14 August, 5:30pm - 7:30pm; booking required
https://www.prewired.org/

🎲 Family Games Night at IKEA Edinburgh
Weds 14 August, 6pm - 7:30pm; registration required
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/stores/events/ikea-edinburgh/family-games-night--c4af5c3d-fadb-462c-a892-3d90dbf67d55/

🎪 The Wee Play Hub at Ocean Terminal
Wednesdays to Sundays, 11am - 3pm; drop-in
(incl. Weds arts classes; Fri craft class & story time; Sat art class & Lego club; Sun circus community jam)
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=488859880572392&set=pcb.488860797238967

🖍 Kids Zentangles Drawing Event at John Lewis
Fri 16 August at 11am & 12pm; booking required (for members of My John Lewis)
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kids-zentangles-drawing-event-tickets-936397208257

✂️ Kids Bookmark Making Crafting Event at John Lewis
Fri 16 August at 1pm & 2pm; booking required (for members of My John Lewis)
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kids-corner-bookmark-making-crafting-event-tickets-935629893197

🎉 Trade Union in the Community Family Fun Day at Peffermill Road
Sat 17 August, 11am - 4pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/772932308370635

*****

(NOTE: Information correct at time of writing; please double check before travelling)



Dynamic Earth | McDonald Road Library | Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage | St Cecilia's Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum | Museum on the Mound | City Art Centre | Lauriston Castle | Edinburgh International Book Festival | Edinburgh Festival Fringe | The Wee Hub brought to you by The Living Memory Association | Valley Park Community Centre

Had a lovely day out at The Scottish Deer Centre with my friend. It is currently pay what you like / can to get in - so maybe something to consider during the school holidays 😎

Some events!