Arnhall Nursery
Dunblane
About Us
Founded in 1990, Arnhall nursery is an 107 place nursery registered with both Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland, offering full time and part time places for children aged 3 months to 5 years.
Arnhall nursery is in partnership with Stirling Council to provide funded places and is situated in an attractive rural setting conveniently located less than 1/2 mile from the Keir roundabout on the M9.
Premises
Arnhall Nursery is run from a large stone built property with unique features such as our turret. The main building set over 2 floors caters for our babies up to 3 years old. We have a separate building in the garden which caters for our 2.5 to 5 year olds. We also have our own outside class room and log cabin. We have a large and completely enclosed garden and we have our very own forest schools on our door step.
The latest news from Arnhall
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Parent Zone
Downloads, reports and nursery info
Play, Learn & Share
Your child’s early years are a time of learning and growth. At Pear Tree Nursery our role is to work in partnership with you, establishing excellent relationships that connect your child’s home and family life together. This approach, built on sharing regular communication, will ensure you are fully confident that your child is safe, nurtured and given space to play, learn and share. Pear Tree nursery has created a secure and stimulating environment in which your child can develop all the skills they need to become a successful learner, confident individual, responsible citizen and an effective contributor.
In safe hands…
We know that there is no more important decision facing parents than childcare. When you entrust your child to our care, you can be sure that you are leaving them with more than “a safe pair of hands”. All our staff are fully qualified or working towards their qualification and have a passion for childcare. This high level of care and professionalism is demonstrated through our Care Inspectorate Inspections where we continue to receive Excellent and Very Good grades.
Meet the team
Norma McFarlane
Nursery Manager
Norma started at Arnhall Nursery in 2003 as a Room Supervisor. In July 2011 Norma was promoted to Nursery Manager and since this time has successfully developed into the role. Norma holds her HNC, SVQ4 and a BA in Childhood Practice. Norma is currently working towards her Froebel Practice. In her spare time Norma enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking her dog and cycling.
Amanda MacDonald
Deputy Manager
Amanda has worked at Arnhall for over 10 years. She holds her SVQ Level 3 in Early Years Education and Childcare, her PDA8 and is currently working towards her Froebel Practice. Amanda enjoys meeting up with family and friends and also walks with her dog.
Caroline O’Neill
Bumblebee Room Manager
Caroline is a Level 9 SCQF Qualified and is the Room Manager of the Bumblebee room. Caroline joined Arnhall Nursery in 2021. Caroline is also trained in Paediatric first aid enjoys spending time with her two boys and her dog Theo.
Jayde Hallam
Dragonfly Room Manager (on mat leave)
Jayde is the Room Manager for the Dragonfly Room and has worked at Arnhall since 2018. She holds her SVQ Level 3 in Early Years Education and Childcare. In her spare time, Jayde enjoys being outdoors, going to the gym and socialising.
Craig McClelland
Finance / Admin Officer
Craig started at Arnhall in November 2019 as our Finance/Admin Officer. In Craig’s spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and friends and playing cricket.
Hannah McFarlane
Leader of Excellence Manager 3 to 5 year olds
Hannah is a Leader in Excellence for the 3-5 building. She holds her SVQ Level 3 in Early Years Education and Childcare and her HND in Childhood Practice and her PDA8. She joined Arnhall at the end of summer 2016. During her spare time, Hannah enjoys spending time outdoors and also enjoys swimming, walking and has recently taken up running. Hannah has also achieved her Level 3 Forest School Leader accreditation in 2018.
Dawn Dickson
Grasshopper Room Manager
Dawn is the Room Manager for the Grasshopper room. She holds her HNC in Early Education and Childcare and has worked at Arnhall since 2017. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys reading, going for walks and spending time with her little girl.
Julie Dick
Ladybird Room Manager
Julie is the Room Manager for the Ladybird Room and has worked at Arnhall for 25 years. She holds her SVQ Level 3 in Early Education and Childcare. In her spare time, Julie enjoys running and going away with her campervan with her partner.
Parent information
Prospective Parents
Grant funding
Arnhall Nursery is in partnership with Stirling Council to provide 1140 hours of Funded Early Learning and Childcare to eligible children. Please see the attached 1140 Hours Information Sheet for further information. If you have any queries on the 1140 hours please contact the office.
DOWNLOADS:
2020-2021 ELC Application Form 2 3-4 year olds Stirling Council
Sessions
We are open from 8 am to 6pm Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. We are closed for 1 weeks over Christmas and New Year.
Our sessions run from 8am to 1pm, 1pm until 6pm and a full day session 8 am until 6pm. Extra sessions can be booked throughout the year subject to availability. We recommend that a minimum of 4 sessions are booked to ensure your child settles well at nursery and a minimum of 2 sessions is required. We also offer a 7.30 am start and a 6.30pm finish subject to an additional booking fee.
Absence and Illness
Childcare Vouchers
The nursery accepts tax free childcare (full information can be found at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk on how to apply/eligibility. This can save some families up to £2000 in childcare costs).
We also continue to accept all childcare vouchers (these are no longer available for new families to sign up to).
Duty of Candour
Sample Menu
The above fees include a full cooked lunch and tea prepared by our in house chef using locally sourced ingredients. Snack and a drink of milk or water is also included. Nappies and wipes can be supplied at an additional charge. Please see our sample menu attached.
Extra Curricular Activities
Waiting List
Nursery Closure
Rooms
Check out Arnhall’s Room details
Ladybird Room
This room cares for babies from 18 months old to 2 years of age. The staff provide a relaxing atmosphere with a wide range of toys and activities, stimulating all areas of development. The babies have access to their own enclosed garden and go out for regular walks around the estate and woodlands. Our staff team are fully qualified and follow the Pre Birth to Three Document.
Dragonfly Room
The 2.5 to 5 year olds children have a large open plan room with direct access to our lovely secluded nursery garden and outdoor classroom. There is plenty of space for the children to move around and explore the many activities on offer. The children have free flow access to all areas in the room where they can enjoy a wide range of free play and structured activities such as painting, sand, water and play dough. We have a writing table, cosy corner, construction area, house corner and the children love our Smartboard. All our staff are fully qualified and follow the Curriculum for Excellence Framework. The children regularly go out on walks around the estate and woodlands.
Butterfly Room
The Butterfly room is for children aged 18 months to 3 years and has a wide choice of activities available. There is a house corner, book corner and various table-top toys as well as water and sand play along with other activities that extend on the children’s own interests. All our staff are fully qualified and follow the Pre Birth to Three document. The children have access to the garden on a daily basis and go for regular walks around the estate and woodland.
Bumblebees Room
This room cares for babies from 3 months old to 2 years of age. The staff provide a relaxing atmosphere with a wide range of toys and activities, stimulating all areas of development. The babies have access to their own enclosed garden and go out for regular walks around the estate and woodlands. Our staff team are fully qualified and follow the Pre Birth to Three Document.
Grasshopper Room
The 2.5 to 5 year old children have a large open plan room with views out to our forest school. There is plenty of space for the children to move around and explore the many activities on offer. The children have free flow access to all areas in the room where they can enjoy a wide range of free play and structured activities such as painting, sand, water and play dough. We have a writing table, cosy corner, construction area, house corner and the children love our Smartboard. All our staff are fully qualified and follow the Curriculum for Excellence Framework. The children regularly go out on walks around the estate and woodlands.
Garden
The nursery has a large safe and secure garden with a wide range of equipment such as a pirate ship, climbing frame with chute, wooden play house, swings, sandpit and a wide selection of bikes and push along toys. The children can play with sand and water, as well as the many activities which can be transferred from inside to outside. The children have access to our outdoor classroom and enjoy growing vegetable in our vegetable garden, along with taking good care of our guinea pigs Blackie and Snowie.
Forest Schools
Pear Tree Nurseries are proud to be a Forest School member. Want to know more? Just follow the link below for all you need to know.
Our Aims
To provide a balanced, coherent, progressive learning environment
that provides a varied and stimulating coverage of the 8 areas in the Curriculum for Excellence and the 4 areas of the Pre Birth To Three.
To provide a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment
designed to meet each child’s individual needs in line with UNCRC and GIRFEC documents.
To provide children with opportunities within their day for rest and play
and to ensure continuity of care from home to nursery and between settings.
To encourage children to form good relationships with their peers and adults
and foster good relationships with parents and other agencies.
To provide suitable and sufficient resources
within an attractive environment.
To work effective as a team to promote staff development
and progression within our setting.
To support the children
in becoming healthy individuals.
To encourage parents to have an active role in the nursery
being involved in the development and progression of the service and their child’s individual progress.
To promote independence, confidence, celebrate diversity and equal respect
for everyone using our service.
To provide an inclusive service
where we strive to meet the needs of every individual.
To follow the eco code designed by our stakeholders
and continually work to improve our carbon footprint.
To ensure all service users understand the importance of play in the development of the child
and ensure we support all forms of play throughout our service.
Where to find us
Our nursery locations
Click on one of our nurseries to find out more and make an enquiry