Braco Primary School Nursery is committed to providing high-quality Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) to children aged from 3 – 5 years. Our nursery has spaces for 14 learners who are nurtured, cared for, and supported by our two Early Childhood Practitioners and a Play Assistant. We place our learners and their families at the very centre of everything we do, and we work effectively with parents to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children within our care.
Our Nursery Aims
Our Nursery prides itself in being inclusive. As a team we work hard to include our learners, parents, and community. As an inclusive environment we welcome creativity and diversity, enabling our learners to feel safe, have a sense of belonging and empowerment to make decisions that affect them.
We are not only committed to inspire our children to develop an interest and fascination with the world around them, but we are also inspired by our learners. Such inspiration is achieved by enthusiasm, encouragement, positivity and by allowing our children to lead their learning and play.
We are committed to ensure all learners achieve through their effort, skills, optimism, growth and progression. Our staff ensure they provide learning and play opportunities which challenge learners, and we active engage with learners, parents and carers, and support services when setting ‘next steps’ for children.
The Importance of Play
All settings across PKC share a clear understanding of the value of play within Early Learning and Childcare. Building upon national guidance such as Realising the Ambition (2020) and the National Strategy for Play (2013), and the work of theorists such as Frederick Froebel, our vision supports practitioners in providing a play-based curriculum that accepts free play as fundamental to each child’s learning and development.
This approach allows us to respond to the individual needs, interests, and preferences of our children, supporting their emotional, social, and physical development and allowing them opportunities to learn at their own pace.
By providing a rich play environment, quality play experiences, and engaging learning opportunities, settings and practitioners in PKC support our children to grow and learn in a way that is developmentally appropriate. We aim to deliver child-led learning that enhances investigation and exploration, ensuring that engagement is high, and that the progression of each individual child is clearly demonstrated.
“Play is the Work of the Child”-Maria Montessori
“You have the Right to Play” – UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Outdoor Play and Learning
ELC settings within PKC embrace outdoor learning, recognising the value of the value of outdoor play and the impact that being outside has on children’s health and wellbeing, our children are encouraged to spend time each day exploring outside in all weathers.
Our ELC staff are Forest Kindergarten Trained, and we embrace opportunities for our learners to explore and connect with the world around them.
“Outdoor Learning connects children and young people with the natural world, and encourages lifelong involvement and activity in the outdoors” -Curriculum for Excellence
“Daily, high quality outdoor play experiences have a direct and positive impact on children’s physical, cognitive, social, mental health and emotional development”- Realising the Ambition
We also believe that children should be able to explore outside freely and take risks that are appropriate to their development. Our ELC settings follow national guidance (Realising the Ambition (2020), which encourages settings to ensure that play areas are as safe as necessary, rather than as safe as possible, to allow for children to problem-solve, manage risk, understand limits, and build resilience. These outdoor experiences remain high quality learning environments, and many of our settings use initiatives such as Play on Pedals or Loose Parts to further enhance outdoor provision.
Learning Together with Families
We understand that it is vital to work in partnership with parents and carers, who we value as our children’s primary caregivers and first educators. We encourage parent/carer participation and engagement, and actively strive to ensure that you are informed, engaged and involved in decisions regarding your child’s education and wellbeing.
“Value[ing] parents’ knowledge of their child and the learning children bring with them to school”- Realising the Ambition
“Parents and carers have unique experience of their children and have important knowledge of their progress as learners over time within the ELC setting, at home and in other aspects of a child’s life”- HGIOELC
“Successful partnership working depends on the development of mutual trust and respect between practitioners and parents”- Education Scotland
Our settings value the important role Parents play in their child’s development. Regular and consistent parent involvement in a child’s learning and development has been proven to improve a child’s engagement and attainment. As such, our setting will provide opportunities and support for you to be involved in your child’s learning and development.
Parents and Carers are always welcome in our nursery and as such, you can come in to settle your child or talk to staff at any point. Throughout each term, we provide a range of planned opportunities to engage with parents meaningfully, which includes:
- Stay and Play Sessions.
- Rhyme Times.
- PEEP sessions.
- Nursery Natters.
- Get Togethers.
We also use Learning Journals within our setting, which provide valuable insights for parents about their child’s play, learning and development in nursery.
Parent and Family Learning Team
Our Early Years Settings work closely with the PKC Parent and Family Learning Team to provide further opportunities and support for families to learn and play together, such as:
- Peep – learning together programme
- Incredible Years Space
- Strengthening Families (10-14y)
- Space Groups
- Cook it
- Introducing Solids
- Eat Well Play Well
- Infant Massage (6 wks – 6 months)
- Small Talk and Treasure Pouches
- Home Safety Equipment
To contact our team please call 01738 477697 or email Parenting@pkc.gov.uk
