Bishopton nursery relaunch Space to Grow and Thrive document

Selected out of all the nurseries in Scotland, Cairellot Nursery held an event to relaunch the Space to Grow and Thrive resource.

Rosie Elliot, owner and manager, welcomed representatives from the Scottish Parliament, Care Inspectorate and members from Renfrewshire Council today to celebrate. 

Space to Grow and Thrive supports the delivery of high-quality environments for children attending early learning and school-aged childcare in Scotland.

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The resource incorporates relevant Care Inspectorate guidance and provides a one-stop resource related to both indoor and outdoor settings.

Rosie said: "We are proud to host the launch of the new Space to Grow and Thrive resource, which aligns beautifully with Cairellot's free-flow pedagogy.

"The resource will inspire settings to develop their own innovative approaches to learning environments, supporting effective outcomes for children.

"I love what I do and I love watching my staff and children grow here. 

"I am very proud of what we have achieved in the years gone by and to have helped towards this important document is something that we as a staff are all proud to have supported."

Rosie, four in from the right, with representatives and Cairellot staff (Image: Mark F Gibson)

Rosie started the nursery 32 years ago and has expanded the establishment. It now has space for 350 children across the week. 

She said it is important to have opportunities to learn while playing, with options limited compared to when she was young.

The revised document provides a comprehensive and up-to-date framework for planning, designing and delivering high-quality settings that support children’s wellbeing, learning and development. 

Since the original launch of the resource in 2017 there have been several developments which have impacted how early learning centres and school-age children care are delivered.

The new document incorporates the lessons learned from the expansion programme, the Covid-19 pandemic, and feedback from the sector.

Natalie Don, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, said: "I was delighted to be at Cairellot Nursery to launch the ‘Space to Grow and Thrive’ guidance for early learning and childcare and school-age childcare settings.

“The guidance is a vital document which contributes to the Scottish Government’s bold aims for the delivery of high-quality early learning and childcare settings for the whole of Scotland.

“With 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare now being offered to families in Scotland, children are now spending more time in these environments which is why it is crucial that they support children’s wellbeing, health, learning, play and development.

“Cairellot Nursery is a fantastic example of a setting which has already embedded many of the Space to Grow and Thrive’s values into their everyday delivery.

"The hard work and dedication of their staff shines through every time I visit.”