Psychology Kindergarten
Welcome to the Psychology Kindergarten, which cares for children from the general public as well as students and staff of the University of Stirling.
Our Kindergarten is unique in the UK because it is run by researchers from the Psychology Division. This gives staff and students the opportunity to study and research the daily experiences of the children. However, please note that this is not a Clinical Psychology Facility.
We have just been graded ‘excellent’ by the Care Inspectorate for our quality of care and support. Read our latest inspection report.
Our aim is to provide rich, challenging and meaningful learning experiences for children. This is achieved by building upon children’s individual interests and needs and developing strong relationships with parents and the University’s community.
Our campus facilities provide the perfect setting for children to investigate nature and have fun walking in the woods and around the lochs. We’ve designed and planted herbs in our sensory garden near the Macrobert Arts Centre. We also have access to our own allotment for growing potted fruit, flowers and vegetables aided by the advice from our very own University gardeners.
You can find out more about how our children play.
Funded hours
You can also find out how we work in partnership with the council to deliver funded hours.
What parents say about our care
The care and support which my son is provided with when attending the Kindergarten is outstanding.
Psychology Kindergarten parent
Read more about what parents say.
About the Psychology Kindergarten
The Kindergarten is available to all children aged 2 years 9 months to 5 years. A maximum of 16 children can attend each session, but usually, there are 13 children at any given time.
The morning session runs from 8.55 am - 12 pm; the afternoon session runs from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm; the extended session runs from 8.55 am to 3 pm or 3.30 pm. All sessions can be funded or unfunded.
The next unfunded autumn term begins on Monday the 19th of August 2019 and runs until Friday the 26th of June. Please click here for the detailed unfunded calendar.
The next funded autumn term begins on Wednesday the 21st of August until Thursday the 25th of June. Please click here for the detailed funded calendar.
We currently have spaces available for both funded and unfunded sessions. Find out how we work in partnership with the council to deliver funded hours.
If you’d like to arrange a visit please contact Federica Caruso on psychologykindergarten@stir.ac.uk or 01786 466836. You can also download our Psychology Kindergarten handbook.
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How to enrol your child
We operate a waiting list system. After your first visit, the availability of being put on the waiting list will be discussed with you. The individual needs of a child will be taken into account and you will be notified as soon as a space becomes available.
To enrol your child, you will be asked to pay a one-off non refundable £10 fee and fill in an online enrolment form to reserve your child’s space.
For unfunded places, fee payment will be via invoices issued by the University of Stirling.
For funded places, payments will be arranged with Stirling council.
For unfunded places, a month’s notice is required to terminate the contract and obtain a refund- if the invoice had already been paid in full. A minimum of two weeks-notice is necessary to apply any change to the agreed schedule.
Childcare Vouchers are acceptable. No refund will be paid for non-attendance.
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Care Inspectorate
Year
Quality of Care and Support
Quality of Environment
Quality of Staffing
Quality of Management and Leadership
A Copy of the Report
2018
Excellent
Not Assessed Not Assessed Very Good
Care Inspectorate report 2018 2016
Very Good
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Good
2014
Excellent
Very Good
Very Good
Very Good
Please note:
1) N/A means that the field was not in the report.
2) All Ratings were completed on a scale ranging from Excellent to Unsatisfactory.
3) All CARE Inspections were completed by the 'Scottish Care Commission'.
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SAND project
Have you ever wondered at what age children should start school and how schooling affects the developing brain? Do you have a child born in January or February 2014? Then you might be interested in taking part in our research study, helping us to find answers to these questions!
Contact us
For any queries please contact the Psychology Kindergarten Manager, Federica Caruso.
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