Farmland earmarked for nursery
Farmland on the outskirts of Callander has been earmarked for a potential new children’s outdoor nursery.
Managed Estates have applied for a change of use and the siting of two portable buildings on a hardstanding area, with parking and an existing access being used at land opposite Molendhu Road.
Trossachs Woodland Nursery would be owned and part-managed by Emma Stewart, a local childminder, and would cater for two-five year olds in Callander and surrounding areas.
Situated within the grounds of the Cambusmore Estate, a portable building would be used as an indoor shelter when the weather was unsuitable for outdoor play and there would be a multi-purpose enclosed outdoor area with shelter including a yurt.
In details submitted with the application, Ms Stewart said:“We will have access to a beautiful woodland area adjacent, with a multitude of varied natural spaces.
“The service will provide five places for two-year-olds and 15 spaces for three-tofive-year-olds. The service will offer part funded and non-funded spaces and will operate between 8am-5pm.
“The aim is to provide authentic, nature based, child led learning opportunities in a high quality outdoor environment, to enable children to feel confident in making their own choices with regards to their own learning experiences, create a welcoming and inclusive outdoor environment where children can relax, be active, feel confident, comfortable, valued and respected, and promote independence and self confidence by enabling children to access learning opportunities themselves and choose how they learn.”
She says there is a trend towards more outdoor learning for children to enhance health and wellbeing.
Other documents submitted said:“The nursery will create job opportunities on various levels. A nursery manager with knowledge and experience of managing a busy nursery will lead the team in providing high quality, innovative care which captivates children’s imagination. The team will also consist of staff at practitioner level and we will aim to also take on a support for learning assistant trainee.
“In my current childminding business I am regularly receiving enquiries but having to turn down potential clients due to ratio requirements for a home setting. By opening a nursery in a non-residential setting, I can offer high quality child care in a setting which is of excellent quality.
“In the survey I conducted 97.5 per cent of those who answered said there is a general need for more childcare in Callander. With only one council nursery, there is a genuine need for alternative early years care. In the survey, 92.5 per cent said they would like to see a predominantly outdoor nursery.
“Before the Covid-19 pandemic struck there was interest beginning to show within the sector for outdoor learning and by the Government and Care Inspectorate, but with the pandemic limiting indoor play, we are seeing an even bigger push for more outdoor learning.“With access to such wonderful natural space surrounding the nursery and with a‘nature as teacher’ outlook at the heart of the nursery, we can absolutely cater for current and future demand for outdoor learning.
“With the continual building of new houses within the area there is a definite need to offer additional and alternative childcare options within the Callander area.”