Introduction

Research has shown that good quality pre-school education improves all-round development in children.  Since 2002, part-time pre-school education has been provided free for three and four year children in Scotland. 

Education authorities are given funding to deliver pre-school education.  They provide pre-school education places in their own nursery classes and nursery schools and also provide places in partner settings such as playgroups and private nurseries. 

National guidelines for the education of children aged 3 to 5 have been published in the form of A Curriculum Framework for Children 3-5.  The curriculum framework sets out 5 key aspects of children’s development and learning and looks at the planning of learning experiences.  All providers of pre-school education must follow these guidelines.  However the curriculum framework is a flexible guideline and each centre will have its own approach to the learning experiences it offers children.