Kelvin Park Early Years Centre

We are a Glasgow City Council Early Learning and Childcare setting situated in the west end of Glasgow. The nursery opened in 2011. We are located on the perimeter of Kelvingrove Park, a very beautiful setting rich in ‘flora and fauna’. We play in our garden daily, regardless of weather and are delighted that our children can explore and learn in such a beautiful setting. We operate a ‘free-flow’ system where the children can opt to go outside or stay indoors. We encourage all of children to play outside every day.  This helps to extend and enhance our children’s learning experiences of nature, science and caring for teh environment.

Our children, families and staff are central to the Kelvin Park ethos. We want our children to be happy and healthy in an environment where respect for each other and the environment is of the utmost importance. We treat children as individuals and allow them to flourish at their own pace with encouragement, support and challenge where appropriate.

Kelvin Park Early Years Centre: Vision, Values and Aims

The Vision, Values and Aims were created in consultation with children, the staff team and parents/ carers

 Vision

Our vision is to create a nurturing, inclusive nursery where every child feels valued, safe, and       inspired to learn. Through play, exploration, and positive relationships, we support children to develop confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. We aim to provide rich learning   spaces and experiences that help children grow into successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, and effective contributors.

 Values

Play: Play is our primary pedagogy. Through play, children explore ideas, develop language, solve problems, and experience success and joy in learning. Outdoor play provides challenge, discovery, wellbeing, and opportunities to develop resilience.

Curiosity and Creativity: Children’s interests and questions guide the learning experiences we offer. Children can access rich, meaningful learning opportunities, supporting investigation, discovery, and deep thinking.

Inclusion and Respect: We celebrate diversity and promote inclusion to ensure every child and family feels welcomed, respected, and valued. Our nursery promotes kindness, respect and a strong sense of belonging. 

Positive Relationships: Strong, nurturing relationships between children, families, and practitioners are at the heart of our nursery community.  Respectful, kind and responsive interactions are promoted through collaboration and communication.

Wellbeing: We prioritise children’s emotional, social, and physical wellbeing so that they feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.

 Aims

· To provide a safe, caring, and rich emotional environment where children feel secure and     supported.

· To create a learning space that promotes play-based learning experiences to spark children’s curiosity, creativity, imagination, and offers opportunities for hands-on problem-solving.

· To observe and respond to children’s interests and development, ensuring learning                    experiences are relevant, engaging, and personalised.

· To create a reflective culture of continuous learning and improvement.

· For adults to scaffold children’s learning and progress across the four capacities: successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, and effective contributors, and across the curriculum.

· To create an inclusive environment where all children have equitable opportunities to lead their learning through voice and choice

· To encourage independence, confidence, and resilience through meaningful choices and       opportunities to be independent and increasingly responsible.

To work in partnership with families, carers and the local community, recognising that children learn best when home and nursery work together.