ABSTRACT
It goes without saying that everyone wants their children to be happy at school especially in their first, early years setting. Many, even most children have a wonderful learning experience in a nursery where the three Rs, i.e. Respect, Relationships and Responsive Care (Scottish Executive 2005), guide both planning and practice. In a secure, caring setting, children develop their social, intellectual, emotional, moral and motor skills as they play. They develop a sense of self through recognising their own aptitudes and interests; they learn about other cultures and share new festivals, lifestyle practices and foods.They learn to co-operate with others, to develop empathy with those less fortunate than themselves and, through successfully confronting many experiences and challenges and enjoying support and careful intervention by committed staff, they become confident, stimulated learners, understanding the basis of citizenship.
