Welcome                                   

A big welcome to Pitfour School Early Learning and Childcare. Our aim is to have a happy, safe and fun-filled centre, where your child can enjoy learning new things. At Pitfour we recognise parents as a child’s first educator, and we look forward to joining you as co-educators in your child’s education.

Let’s talk learning.... 

We follow Education Scotland guidelines and guidance: ‘Curriculum for Excellence’, ‘Care Inspectorate Quality Framework for ELC Services’, and ‘Realising the Ambition’. 

The Curriculum is built on the firm belief that young children learn best from first-hand experience through ‘doing’ rather than simply being told. Therefore, the children spend most of their time choosing from a wide range of activities, or ‘playing’. 

We are committed to developing learning in natural and real contexts, familiar to children and appropriate to their interests and stages of development. This reflects our understanding that young children’s learning is most effectively supported through interaction with adults and other children and through play and active exploration of their environment. Of key importance are the quality, breadth and depth of learning experiences that children will encounter and how we can work together to ensure that every child can achieve and reach their potential. 

Let’s talk Play....

If you ask your child what they were doing at nursery, the answer will likely be ‘playing’. We do promote learning through play, but our activities are carefully planned and structured. We look at children’s strengths, areas of interest and areas for development and plan activities based on this. Some of these activities will be shared with friends, some your child will complete on his/her own and others will involve a group or the whole class working together. At times, children may be encouraged to try an activity which they would not normally choose in order to extend their abilities and knowledge. Yes, your child has been playing but they have been continuously learning through this carefully planned play. 

Let’s talk Food…

Pitfour nursery is an Aberdeenshire Council school-based nursery and therefore there is no cost to you for your child to attend sessions. 

Pitfour is a Healthy Eating, Health Promoting School and our snack is always balanced and healthy. Fruit/vegetables are part of each day’s snack and there is water or milk available to drink. We follow the guidance set out in ‘Setting the table’ (Nutritional guidance and food standards for early year’s childcare providers in Scotland.)

Snack is an important part of the day’s routine. Children may help with preparing snack by baking or spreading items and taking turns at setting the table and clearing up. Snack is served daily at 10am and 2.30pm.

Lunches are served to all children at 11.45am each day and High tea at 4.15pm.  The High tea option is available if your child is staying for a full day. Menus are displayed in the cloakroom for your own information.  Staff will ensure any specific dietary requirements are catered for and work closely with the catering team to provide the very best nutritional meals for all children.

Children are encouraged, but never forced, to try a wide variety of foods and are always congratulated for trying something new. Good eating habits and manners are also encouraged and praised.

-Let the fun begin…                    

My Profile

Your child’s learning experiences and their magical learning journey at Pitfour E.L.C is shared with you from the very first day in a format of a ‘Profile’ found on Learning Journals. As a team we make observations on your child’s development and learning and record these in your child’s profile. Photographs of your child may also be attached to your child’s observations along with photographs of their work to give you an insight of your child’s time and their day with us.