A group of babies and toddlers had two special guests at their workout class at  Wallacetown Nursery School when Councillor Pam Paterson, Convener of the Council’s Lifelong Learning Committee, and Councillor Robert Campbell joined in the fun.

FAB is a joint venture between East, North and South Ayrshire Councils and NHS Ayrshire and Arran.  Successful partnership working has been established since 2001 within colleagues in health, education, leisure and social services to promote this project.  The project is funded by the partners through Surestart Scotland.

Wallacetown Nursery School has now started FAB classes that aim to:

• Promote the benefits and importance of exercise and physical play.
• Encourage parents and carers to participate in a programme of physical play with young children.
• Increase parent and carers knowledge and understanding of the longterm benefits and health gains of regular exercise, physical play and social interaction.
• Maximise opportunities for play, physical exercise and social interaction.

After taking part in one of the classes Councillor Paterson said:  “The class was a joy from beginning to end.

“To see all the babies, toddlers and carers exercising together was a wonderful sight.

“I truly believe that introducing children to fun physical exercise from the earliest possible age gets them into the habit of exercising.  I hope that all the children who took part continue to exercise throughout their lives and enjoy the long term benefits and health gains it will bring them.”

On the day that FAB was launched at Wallacetown Nursery School, Margaret Lawson, FAB Co-ordinator visited the nursery to talk to parents and carers and gave everyone a copy of the FAB book that gives ideas for activities that can be done at home with the babies and toddlers.

Anyone who would like further information on FAB should contact Margaret Lawson, FAB Co-ordinator, Springvale Resource Centre, McGillivray Avenue, Saltcoats, KA21 6BN, telephone number 01294 605885.

Having great fun at the Fit Ayrshire Babies class exercising to music at Wallacetown Nursery are local children along with Councillor Pam Paterson and Councillor Robert Campbell.

May 2006