New Keith nursery welcomes its first families
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A NEW nursery which aims to cater for parents' shifting work and education needs has opened in Keith.
The Flexible Childcare Services Scotland (FCSS) nursery, which opened on Wednesday, August 12, is temporarily based at Longmore Hall until the completion of its custom-built early learning and childcare centre in the grounds of Keith Grammar School.
The build was hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic but the nursery provider has spent months working with Moray Council to prepare Longmore Hall in the meantime.
As the council continues with its commitment to roll out the Scottish Government's 1140 funded childcare hours plan, FCSS is offering fully-funded, flexible early learning and childcare to eligible two to five-year-olds in the Keith area. The provider believes this is the first time families will be able to use their funded childcare hours in such a flexible way.
Families can book day care by the hour, and can change hours week by week to suit their work patterns.
Nursery manager Eleanor Smith said the nursery followed the "curiosity approach", bringing old and new resources together to create a stimulating environment for children. She added: "Children have opportunities to investigate, be creative, problem solve and develop critical thinking skills while a dedicated and motivated team will support their learning across all areas of the curriculum.
"We are hoping for our new setting to be ready in August 2021 or before, with work due to start any day, beginning with a 'cutting of the grass ceremony'.
"Our temporary setting here at the Longmore Hall can accommodate 16 three to five-year-olds, whereas our new setting will accommodate 65 two to five-year-olds."
Ms Smith said the opening day was a great success, adding: "The children all settled, with some of them already knowing each other. This made the transitions a very positive experience.
"The families commented on how happy they were to have chosen our setting and how excited the children were to come and play. Play and learning go hand in hand so I feel we are certainly going to achieve our aims."
Robin Paterson, senior project manager in early learning and childcare, said: "Moray Council is delighted to welcome FCSS to the Keith area along with their innovative approach to service delivery. We very much look forward to working in partnership with FCSS prior to the opening of the new-build nursery in Keith."
Susan McGhee, chief executive officer at FCSS, said: "This move will mean families can maximise the benefit of their funded entitlement, reducing the need for them to purchase wrap-around hours.
"It will help families to save money, it will allow parents and carers to continue working, and children are more likely to attend and experience the benefits that high-quality early learning and childcare brings."
