Laura Vida

Find information on primary and secondary schools in and around Edinburgh. Details include Headteachers, Principals, Rectors, and Heads of School, appointment dates, educational backgrounds, and previous experience.

8 Key Considerations In Scotland, the traditional age for a child to start school is between 4.5 and 5.5 years old. However, if your child will not be five on their first day of school, you have the right to defer them. In this case, you will receive an additional year of nursery funding from the Scottish Government. While deferral is more common for Winter-born children, Autumn deferrals are on the rise. Here’s what we would do if unsure about deferral: 1) Seek advice from professionals who...

© John Pow Photography for Dundee Heritage Trust Ideal age: 5+ Location: Riverside Drive, Dundee (By Dundee railway station) When: 9am-5pm, 7 days Top tip: Convert your tickets to an annual pass! Parent Review: What luck to find a central railway station/carpark and numerous attractions (2 old ships, Dundee Science Centre, The Mcmanus, V&A, Dundee Museum of Transport & more) all within easy walking distance. Discovery Point sits a stone’s throw from V&A Dundee, which, for us, meant a...

By Laura Vida Dundee Science Centre Based in Scotland? Looking for a staycation that definitely won’t break the bank? Need ideas for half-term or bank holiday days out? Dundee is absolutely packed with indoor and outdoor options for kids. If staying over, nearby Broughty Ferry is a great spot for families with young kids. Accommodation is reasonably priced and there’s a great beach and playground on your doorstep. From here, it’s a short train hop to central Dundee. Here are some of the...

Many independent schools hold weekly stay-and-play events for parents, babies and toddlers. These provide a fantastic opportunity for you and your child to explore and make friends. If you’re in the process of choosing a nursery, this is also an ideal occasion for you to get a real feel for a place and the team who work there. NB: We didn’t find regular weekly events at every independent school. But it’s worth following potential nurseries and schools on social media. That way you can sign...

Gentle, interactive clowning bringing the alphabet alive! We enter to find the two artists in situ. Like living statue performers in lab gear, they move lethargically as I raise my camera. The clown’s teacher-like foil engages the kids right away, asking for their names and draw

The Truth About Trees By Apropos Theatre Age: 5+ (Official guideline). We’d say 6/7+ Where: Assembly George Square, The Box When? 10.45, 9th-30th August 2026 (excl. 17th & 24th) Duration: c. 45 mins This show was fantastic in many ways: Alex Zawalyski’s script is original, varied and highly imaginative. Also playing the main character, Alfie, Zawalyski is believably engaging. My almost 5-year-old professed to ‘like’ him. And she’s choosy. We loved the oak tree (plus roots) projection at...

Laura Vida's REVIEW: The Elves and the Shoemaker by Theatre of Widdershins My daughter was hooked, even before the show began, desperate to find out what Elvis’s magical foot measurer would say about her. (‘Amazingly awesome’, naturally.) The eloquent narrator, Elvis Schumacker III (grandson of the original shoemaker!) is utterly brilliant throughout, deftly seizing every opportunity (even water breaks) to encourage live interaction. The primary-age kids in the full audience today are fizzing...

Edinburgh’s Top 5 Spots for tired parents! When kids are too young to self-regulate, it’s important to incorporate rest into their day. And it helps to have a few sanctuaries up your sleeve. Here's where we like to relax in Edinburgh, with or without friends.

Our 5-star review of Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh. 100+ interactive exhibits, 4 floors of fun, rooftop views. Tips for families with young kids.