Nurturing potential within a caring, happy and stimulating environment
Junior Start is a unique nursery environment within an imaginatively adapted listed building providing pre-school education for children aged 3-5. It is led by an experienced teacher specialising in the early years and a team of highly qualified nursery nurses.
In Junior Start the children have access to fun learning experiences across the eight curriculum areas within four playrooms and the private outdoor area. A caring and friendly, stimulating environment ensures children are encouraged to develop their potential through a balance of structured organised activity and exploratory play, recognising the needs and interests of all individuals.
The available play areas and outdoor space support the provision of a broad and balanced curriculum - areas include junk modelling, tactile, role play, sand, water, writing table, book corner and construction to name but a few. We have a well equipped physical room with opportunities to run, climb, balance and develop skills of coordination and co-operation. A wide range of resources are available to develop children's knowledge and skills within this rapidly advancing technological age including computers, an interactive white board, cameras, programmable toys and Dictaphones.Learning is viewed as a continuous journey. Our small establishment ensures that the personal knowledge we have of each child and their family facilitates a suitable learning pathway. The keyworker system in operation in Junior Start ensures each child receives planned, personalised and purposeful learning. Individual members of staff develop strong relationships with the children in their keygroup making detailed observations on their interests, needs and learning styles, using this information to ensure continuous development through appropriate experiences. The curriculum is tailored to individuals - we do not expect children to fit into the curriculum.
A strong emphasis is placed on the development of children's health and wellbeing, increasing independence and resilience with the confidence, enthusiasm and motivation to overcome difficulties, problem solve, make informed choices and decisions, respect and respond to others and engage in creative thought in order to develop skills for learning and skills for life.
Junior Start has achieved 'Smile Too' status recognising the importance of a whole day approach to oral health. We operate a healthy eating policy and participate in the national tooth brushing initiative encouraging children to develop positive habits in a healthy active lifestyle.Children benefit from being part of a larger educational establishment allowing them to utilise the various facilities including the gym hall, library, theatre and lunch hall. Each year we perform our annual Christmas show whilst enjoying being part of the audience for the array of performances from the classes in Junior School. We also enjoy being involved with the Junior School in the annual Highland Games at our sports facilities and Balgray
Older Senior School pupils provide positive role models for our Junior Start children as they regularly visit the nursery through participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Transition to Junior School is helped through sharing facilities, regular contact with the Junior School staff, close liaison and a continuous curriculum for 3-18 year olds.
Partnership working is practised to ensure all those involved in each child's life work collaboratively to ensure the best possible outcomes are achieved. We value and welcome the involvement of parents and carers in their child's learning journey and recognise the wealth of experiences that can be enriched by employing genuine co-operation and mutual respect.Junior Start offers a flexible service to parents of nursery children aged between 3 and 5 years of age. In Junior Start One (ante pre-school), children can attend either 5 morning sessions from 8.30am-12.30pm, 5 afternoon sessions from 1.00-3.30pm or 5 full days. In Junior Start 2 (pre-school), children can attend either 5 mornings or 5 full days.
We also offer the additional facilities of an Early Bird service from 8.00am-8.30am and Late Waiting Care from 3.30-6.30pm in term time. A hot 2 course lunch is served to all children attending either in the morning or all day.
Our partnership status with Glasgow City Council results in a rebate for parents. We also accept Childcare Vouchers.