Over 3s Nursery
Like our under 3 setting the Over 3’s setting is a home from home environment where your child can explore and learn freely where they have the opportunity to follow their interests and to develop at their own pace. The setting is spread over 3 floors set within its own grounds and has access to a mature widespread garden.
About the Setting
Each of the floors are bright, airy and neutrally decorated, which offer caring and nurturing environments inspiring children to be curious and creative.
The ground floor provides a lovely space for our dining area where the children are supported to build confidence in serving their own meals, and enjoy meal times as a sociable occasion with their peers and staff, indoors and out. Time is dedicated to allow the children to explore their meals, discuss with staff the benefits of what we are eating and support them with portion size, “I can enjoy unhurried snack and meal times in as a relaxed atmosphere as possible” (food matters, Care inspectorate,2018). Our dining room opens directly on to our garden area allowing children the choice of indoors or outdoor eating, supporting the link with their planting and growing to what we are eating. This space will also support the children in baking, cooking and meal building their knowledge, confidence and learning that food has a positive impact on their development.
Variety of sensory qualities i.e. taste, texture, flavours, colour and temperature this will help children’s learning and enjoyment of food.
Our main play floor supports children to freely choose the areas they wish to play, this floor offers time and space for large creative play in our blook room, wood work, creative activities and quiet areas in our relaxation space. Our resources offer open ended learning directed by the children, supporting their curiosity and learning. The play room is a beautiful open space supporting free flow between the different areas and accessing the garden.
Our ApproachOutdoor area
Our gardens offer challenge, freedom to explore, being creative and opportunities for planting and growing as well as spaces for rest and relaxing. With access to loose parts, equipment to support physical play and areas for shelter our outdoor space supports strong links to the curriculum. Children are supported to manage their own risk; our staff are skilled in supporting children’s learning and understanding the importance of observing and interacting when required.
smilechildcare believe that children should have access to outdoor play learning opportunities daily. We have a large garden which children can access daily where children can choose indoor or outdoor experiences all year round.
smilechildcare believe children are able individuals and we encourage independence, listen to their voice and support their learning through observing interests, interacting in the moment and providing resources and environments to further develop their individuality.
Locations
The Over 3’s Nursey at ELCC:
Smilechildcare ELCC
17 Calder Grove
Edinburgh
EH11 4LZ
Opening times
Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm
Staff start work at 7.45am; allowing them to set up the playrooms and to carry out a Health & Safety check of the building. Parents and children are welcome to wait in the reception area during these checks.
smilechildcare provides care throughout the year, although we close for two weeks over the Christmas period and for Scottish Public Holidays.
Enquiries
To enquire about booking childcare then call us on 0131 476 7800 (Ext 1) or email us at mailbox@smilechildcare.org.