About the AIA Early Years Project
The AIA Early Years Project provides vital social and developmental support for families in Kilrenny, Anstruther and Cellardyke. Catering primarily to children aged 0–4 years and their caregivers, the project aims to ensure community cohesion and provide a range of activities to enhance and enrich the early years experience of children in our local area.
By fostering connections and local partnerships, the AIA is working towards our vision to build a thriving, resilient community.
What are the elements of the Early Years Project?
Originally established in 2021 to combat pandemic-induced isolation, our weekly Dreel Babies & Toddlers group has evolved into a cornerstone of local community life, facilitating literacy, play, social and peer support.
Since 2025 the AIA has supported fortnightly volunteer-led Community Bookbug sessions. These popular sessions have been run from Dreel Halls as well as various locations throughout the community, including, but not limited to, Anstruther Fire Station, The Scottish Fisheries Museum and Willow House Care Home.
In keeping with the Anster Community Development Project outcomes, the AIA has supported local businesses and organisations to take action and deliver programmes aimed at the fostering of early literacy and community engagement. In 2022, we supported the start up of Little Neuk Storytelling Centre, providing space at Dreel Halls, advice, promotion and financial support to trial sessions for local families. More recently, in 2026, the support of the AIA was integral for the inaugural Anstruther Children’s Festival, through provision of the Dreel Halls and staffing on the day.
What next?
AIA has engaged Teresa Sherratt Fynn in the newly created role of Early Years Project Coordinator, funded by Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) Offshore Wind Farm Fund – Fife (Anstruther), administered by Foundation Scotland.
As we continue to develop our project and ensure its sustainability, we shall be looking towards fundraising opportunities and new ways of engaging with our community. We feel that our community should have a voice in the development of our early years programme, so we shall be consulting local families as we consider our next steps.
If you have ideas of what you would like to see provided for local families, or if you are interested in volunteering in any aspects of our early years programme, get in touch by email at teresa@anstrutherimprovements.org.