Children in playgroups, nursery schools and nursery classes in Scotland may be grouped according to age or not, depending on a range of factors, including number of children, age, and type and ethos of setting. Such organisational detail is at the discretion of the setting. The 'National Care Standards: Early Education and Childcare up to the Age of 16' state that children of 3 years and over are entitled to 2.3 square metres of space each (less than younger children) and, although this refers to space in relation to age, it may also influence how children are grouped. 31
The publication 'The Child at the Centre: Self-evaluation in the Early Years' (SEED 2000) refers to facilities that are "flexible to meet children's needs and provide an attractive environment"; to staff organising "specific areas for a variety of activities"; and to space being "used flexibly by different groups of children". A Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) curriculum framework document for the 3-5 age range is underpinned by the belief that children in this phase cannot and should not be categorised into chronological age groups. Early years educators are encouraged to be prepared for the less developmentally mature child and to adjust the atmosphere, rhythm and day-to-day practices of their centre as and when necessary to support the needs of children at different stages. 12
This phase is not divided into different cycles. 2
Pre-school education provision in a primary school will usually have places for up to 20 children at one time. Most pre-school education centres outwith primary schools have places for 40 to 60 children at any one, although in some parts of Scotland there are larger units. 2
There are different adult:child ratios for care provided in domestic and non-domestic settings. Adult:child ratios in non-domestic and domestic settings are currently as follows:
|
Non-domestics settings |
Adult: child ratio |
|
Under 2s |
1:3 |
|
2s to under 3s |
1:5 |
|
3* and over |
1:8 |
|
|
|
|
Domestic settings |
|
|
Children under 12 |
1:6** |
|
|
|
*Where children aged 3 and over attend facilities providing daycare for a session which is less than a continuous period of four hours in any day, the adult: child ratio may be 1:10 providing individual children do not attend more than one session per day.
**Of whom no more than three are not yet attending primary school, and of whom no more than one is under 1. 31
The maximum number of children permitted in any one playgroup is 24. 2
Teachers in this phase of education are normally generalists who have specialised in the education of young children. 2
Requirements for the registration of staff working in early education and childcare, which came into force in the academic year 2005/06, require all staff working in this area to possess a relevant qualification or to be working towards one. 2