ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors describe the conceptualisation and development of education and care provision for children from nine months to two years at Pen Green – the Baby and Toddler Nest. They describe the development of a second provision, the Couthie, to meet the demand for places and respond to the government's initiative – funding early learning for two-year olds. In 2004, the authors opened the Baby and Toddler Nest. This was their education and care provision for children under two years of age. They set up a 'steering group' to consider the conceptualisation and planning of the provision. At the time of developing the Nest, the authors also considers their attitudes specifically in relation to their work with the youngest children. All steering group members were given six index cards and were asked to write one statement on each card. When the authors opened The Nest, they already had a long tradition of home visiting at Pen Green.
