The Big Room is where the three to five year olds develop from toddlers to pre-schoolers gaining the confidence and self-esteem needed for the next step of going to school. The emphasis is still very much on learning through play and we follow the recommended Curriculum for Excellence

As in the Wee Room, there is a wide range of toys and dressing-up clothes for the children to play with. Craft activities include painting, drawing, play dough and model making, as well as baking.

The Wee Room provides a gentle introduction to nursery for the youngest of our children, with the emphasis very much on play. The children can begin to learn the basic social skills of interacting with others, sharing and playing together. There is a wide variety of toys to play with, together with dressing-up clothes, a sand table and a playhouse. Children get the chance to do craftwork such as painting, drawing, gluing and play dough, as well as  singing and dancing, games and gym. There is also a quiet corner for reading stories.

We recognise that starting nursery is a big step for your child and for you.

Children are therefore welcome to bring any comforters with them, while you are welcome to stay as long as you feel you want to, to make sure both you and your child are happy.

Before starting at nursery, you and your child will have an introductory visit where you will have the opportunity to look around the nursery facilities and meet staff members. This allows us the opportunity to answer any questions you may have.

We ask that your child be provided with some basic items.

For indoors:

• soft shoes (such as gym shoes or slippers)

Daily:

• appropriate clothing for playing outdoors (whatever the weather!)

For sunny days:

The nursery can apply for funding from Scottish Borders Council for children for the term following their third birthday.

This means that from the start of the term following your child’s third birthday, the only amount you will have to pay is the annual registration fee of £10 and 40p per day for snack in the Big Room.

Before this time the charge per child is currently £4.00 per session, in addition to the snack money (Big Room only) and the annual registration fee.

We believe that 'small is beautiful' - our small class sizes and high adult to child ratios are unrivalled in the area, and as such your child will benefit from the individual attention we can give them throughout their time at nursery.

There are two playrooms at the Nursery: the Wee Room where the two-year olds are based and the Big Room for 3-5 year olds. The average number of children in the Wee Room is 6 per session with one playleader and one parent helper or 2 playleaders when more than 6.

Holidays & Opening Times We operate in line with Scottish Borders Council (SBC) school operating dates and are therefore closed for the same holidays as the local schools, including in-service days and public holidays. We are open 5 mornings a week from 9.30 am to 12:00 pm with sessions available for 2 to 5 year olds each day.

The nursery operates from the Old School in Fogo village, which is situated 3 miles south of Gavinton and Duns, 6 miles west of Swinton and 4 miles east of Greenlaw.

We currently have children from throughout the surrounding area and we have links with the primary schools in Duns, Swinton, Greenlaw and Leitholm/Eccles.