At smilechildcare our work is based on a concept of the child which is shared throughout the company.

First of all we believe that children are not just ‘grown-ups-in-the-making’. Childhood, by which we mean that period from birth to around 14 or 15 years of age, has intrinsic and inestimable value. It is not simply a stage on the way to a more exciting or rewarding time of life called ‘adulthood’.

Our work with children constantly reminds us that children bring to the world their own, often penetrating insights and a sometimes stern moral code. This understanding of childhood leads us to a view of the individual child as strong, capable and engaged, no matter how young the child.

Starting from this point allows us to accompany each child – your child - on her own wonderful journey of exploration, learning and self-discovery. This is a rich and rewarding way of helping children to grow in skills, self-confidence and sociability.

Here's a sample of what we aim to provide and foster for all our children:

IMAGINATIVE PLAY
TALKING THROUGH A PROBLEM
DREAMING OUT LOUD
LOGICAL ARGUMENT
LISTENING SKILLS
USING COLOUR, SOUND AND TEXTURE TO LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD
BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE
LEARNING TO NEGOTIATE
TRYING NEW EXPERIENCES
HAVING NEW ADVENTURES
REVISITING FAMILIAR PLACES
HEARING FAMILIAR STORIES AND MUCH-LOVED RHYMES AGAIN AND AGAIN
SINGING, DANCING, MUSIC
FRESH AIR AND OUTDOOR PLAY
SNUGGLING DOWN FOR QUIET TIME IN PEACE AND QUIET

smilechildcare’s approach to outdoor play and exploration

Thanks to the generosity of Scottish Natural Heritage and other donors, smilechildcare has a fantastic stock of high-quality wet-weather garments – dungarees, hooded anoraks and boots - for all our nursery children.

We keep them in our specially equipped TOGZ Changing Room so that we can follow the example of the Norwegians when it comes to wet weather! They say ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing’. And we agree.

That’s why you can be sure your child will be out of doors part of every day, come rain or shine, properly clad to stay warm and dry however much they splash in the puddles and poke about in the mud.

We are constantly revising and improving our outdoor programme for under-fives so please do ask a member of staff to find out more about other exciting developments.

Above all smilechildcare staff are taught to listen - to children and their parents. Please join us if you can, in our adventures and learning. Or send us a comment or a suggestion for a new activity or idea. We want to hear what you think.

Please read about our Policy and Procedures