We are a family centre open 50 weeks per year from 8am to 6pm. The centre is closed during the Christmas and New Year holidays as well as public holidays and in service days. At 3 years of age, children are allocated 1140 hours of free nursery education in Scotland. Parents and carers can choose between morning only place, afternoon only places (Stretch A), 2.5 full days (Stretch B) and term time 9am-3pm (Core), whichever early learning and childcare provision best meets their needs and the needs of their family. Currently, there is an option to buy ‘add on hours’, subject to availability. These add on hours can be bought for the full year, allowing you to plan your childcare accordingly. Where demand outweighs availability, add on hours will be balloted.

The concept of “early learning and childcare” is an inclusive term which is now used to describe the learning that starts from birth and continues until a child enters school. We deliver a seamless experience for children and provide learning and development within our caring and nurturing centre.

Building The Ambition

In 2013 the Scottish Government launched A Scotland for Children: A consultation on the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill.   The consultation proposed a Bill that would realise the Scottish Government’s ambition for Scotland to be the best place to grow up in. The proposals contained within the Bill put children and young people at the centre of planning and delivering of services and strengthened approaches to ensuring children’s rights were addressed. These proposals have become a reality in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. As part of the proposals there has been a renewed focus on our youngest children, particularly those from birth to starting school. This reflects the importance of early learning and childcare (ELCC) for the future of individual children and families and wider society as a whole. This national practice guidance sets the context for high quality ELCC and seeks to support practitioners who are delivering ELCC in different settings and areas of Scotland to:

• Build confidence and capability for those who work with young children from birth to starting school.
• Make links between practice, theory and policy guidance to reinforce aspects of high quality provision and the critical role played by early years practitioners.
• Clarify some aspects of current practice and provide a reference which practitioners can easily use.
• Support improvement and quality by encouraging discussion and reflective questioning about practice relevant in each setting.
• Provide advice on achieving the highest quality ELCC possible to allow our youngest children to play their part in the Scottish Government’s ambition of Scotland being the best place in the world to grow up.

The guidance reflects the principles and philosophy of early intervention and prevention within The Early Years Framework to give children the best start in life; and bring about transformational change for Scotland’s children. The guidance complements the key areas in the Act associated with ELCC and will give an overview of what young children need most and how we can best deliver this throughout Scotland.