The nursery has made the short move to the former library at McLaren High School, which has been converted into a state-of-the-art facility in a £540,000 project.
Over 10 weeks, the vacant space was remodelled into a bright and modern learning environment that meets the highest standards, including the Care Inspectorate’s Space to Grow aspirations.
The brand new facility is equipped with a large and small playroom, along with a newly formed garden to support outdoor learning. It also includes a staff room and work-base, senior management team office and an admin/reception room.
Up to 58 pre-school children can be accommodated within the nursery, a significant increase in capacity.
Highest possible standards
Convener of Stirling Council’s Children and Young People Committee, Cllr Susan McGill said: “The new facility looks absolutely fantastic and has been completed to the highest possible standards, ensuring children will benefit from first-class care and a wide range of learning and play opportunities.
“By relocating locally to McLaren High, importantly, we are giving children continued access to their provision locally in an improved, inclusive environment.”
Parents have given the new nursery glowing reviews in a recent survey. The positive feedback included praise for the setting’s ‘fantastic’ indoor and outdoor spaces, its warm and homely feel and its accessibility.
Best start in life
Cllr Christine Simpson, Vice Convener of the Committee, said: “It’s hugely encouraging to read these comments from parents on the new nursery and, having visited this fabulous facility, I share their sentiments.
“This hugely impressive space will allow staff to deliver the extended hours in a safe, secure and nurturing environment to give our children the best start in life.”
The Council is undertaking more than 30 capital projects, including the relocation of Callander, over a three-year period as part of the rollout of the Scottish Government’s free early learning and childcare programme.
Backed by £7million of capital investment support and £11.8millon of revenue support, the scheme will almost double the amount of free childcare hours from 600 to 1,140 by the end of 2020 for pre-school children (those aged three and four) and some two-year-olds.
The local authority is now moving forward with its final 12 capital projects, which will be delivered in time for the August 2020 launch (other than Drymen which will run on until May 2021).
Huge credit
Cllr McGill added: “Everyone involved in this complex and large-scale capital works programme deserves huge credit for having the infrastructure in place to deliver this key service to all eligible children for later this year.
“Another reason we are on track with our delivery plan is by working closely with partners in the private, voluntary and independent sector, and using a phased rollout of the increased entitlement.
“We will continue to support providers through this time of significant change so we can deliver a flexible model of provision for families across Stirling.”
More information on the expansion of early learning and childcare in Stirling can be found on the Stirling Council website.
Background info and photo details:
In 2017, Stirling Council and the SCMA (Scottish Childminding Association) have entered into a pioneering partnership to enable childminders to offer free childcare places, with almost forty childminders across Stirling are now offering funded places to families.
More than 1,500 children’s places are now available for the programme in local authority nurseries and with private nurseries, childminders and voluntary sector nurseries.
Eligible two-year-olds can also access free early learning and childcare. To find out if your child qualifies, visit the Stirling Council website.
Main picture shows staff from Callander Nursery, the McLaren Learning Community and the Council’s Early Learning and Intervention team, alongside Stirling Council elected members in the new nursery space.
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