Newmains Nursery Centre

Newmains nursery centre is a non-denominational establishment, providing a quality early years service for children aged 0-5 years, regardless of race, religion, gender, culture, age or ability.  It is open 52 weeks of the year, closing only for public holidays and in-service days. Session times are from 9.00am -11.30am and from 1.00pm -3.30pm, however, extended service is available from 8.30am -5.00pm, if required and additional hours are charged at a rate of £2.50 per hour or part of an hour.

The nursery is staffed by a head of centre, a depute head of centre, 12 early years workers, two clerical assistant, three caretakers and cleaning staff and one1 catering assistant.  All our childcare workers are qualified to national standards and have access to a range of ongoing training opportunities.

During each session, the nursery can accommodate six children aged 0-2 years, 10 children aged 2-3 years and 48 children aged 3-5years and all nursery places are allocated in accordance with North Lanarkshire Council's Admission Policy.

Our accommodation is spacious and bright and has well-designed indoor and outdoor play areas, which enable the children to participate in a wide range of learning opportunities, which are constructed around a curriculum designed to ensure the all round development of the individual child.

We also have our parents room where parents meet and plan future fund-raising activities as well as having the opportunity to access the internet.

The nursery works in partnership with parents and carers, support agencies and local primary and secondary schools within the local community. Through support from Community Education and Sure Start staff, we offer a range of courses and groups for parents to participate in.

We have close links with the local primary schools, which are Newmains Primary, Morningside Primary and St Brigids Primary. Throughout the year, pre-school children visit their chosen primary school and meet with their teacher, in order to assist with the transition from nursery to primary education. 

The nursery aims through partnership and encouragement to provide a flexible, caring, welcoming and stimulating environment, which supports and values each individual and promotes active learning. In order to achieve this, we aim to:

• provide an attractive and stimulating environment where each child feels safe, secure and happy.
• to encourage and provide good role models, ensuring positive images of all people, regardless of race, religion, culture, gender, age or ability.
• to provide opportunities for staff to develop, to give support to one another and ensure effectiveness in a working team.
• to provide a variety of enjoyable learning experiences, which give children the opportunity to use and develop communications, investigation and organisation skills effectively, thus allowing progression of learning.
• to create an environment that enables each individual to acquire self-esteem, confidence and a feeling of self-worth.
• to provide opportunities for staff and parents to work in partnership and develop friendly effective relationships.
• to provide a flexible, supportive environment where staff, families, the community and other agencies feel welcome.
• to encourage parents to be involved in the development of their child within and out with the nursery.
• to encourage all children to plan their day where staff are carers, facilitators and educators.

A curriculum can be described as everything a young child experiences around them. We provide a stimulating multi-sensory environment for young children under three, where the development of good relationships are central and where children can feel safe and happy, enabling them to explore, discover and learn.

Staff provide resources and experiences with promote development and learning in the following areas:

• emotional, personal and social development
• physical co-ordination
• expressive communication
• supporting early literacy
• supporting early mathematics
• knowledge and understanding of the world

The nursery curriculum is based on "a curriculum framework for children 3-5 years" as set out by the Scottish Office. The curriculum framework refers to planned learning experiences based on different key aspects of children's development and learning. A curriculum framework helps staff to plan activities and experiences that promote children's development in:

• emotional, personal and social development
• communication and language
• knowledge and understanding of the world
• expressive and aesthetic development
• physical development and movement

All experiences planned in the nursery have an emphasis on equal opportunities and cultural awareness and we also adopt a "High Scope Approach" which encourages children to be independent.

In order to apply for a place within Newmains nursery centre, a North Lanarkshire Council Application form must be completed (these are available from any nursery or can be downloaded) and sent to your first choice nursery with the child's birth certificate and proof of address.  It is then placed on a waiting list and brought before the local admissions panel. This is held every three months and includes Newmains nursery centre, Cambusnethan Nursery Centre, Wishaw Nursery Centre and Newmains Nursery Class.  Forms for each nursery are discussed and children are placed according to priority and availability. 

All children under three years of age require an inter-agency referral along with their application form to support the need for a place for a child. This will be identified by a health visitor, doctor or other support agency to see if the circumstances meet criteria for an inter-agency referral.

Use the "Maps" box at the right to view a location map for the school. If you have any questions or require further information, please use the "Contact Us" box.

Use the "External Links" box at the right to access the school's HMI report.