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Case study: family times

Bishopbriggs Childcare Centre (BCC) in Glasgow offers extended daycare for children aged from three months, as well as before-and after-school care, writes Alice Sharp. The centre not only encourages children of different ages to mix, play and learn together, but promotes this mixing as an important aspect of daily life for children. 'As a mother who uses the centre, I am delighted that my daughter Rebecca (aged four and a half) is actively encouraged to mix with children in the younger age groups, including her brother Ben (aged two and a half). In another nursery where the children might not see each other all day, the opportunity for bonding may be denied them. Personally, I have found that it is often the case that the interaction developed during mixed age sessions is carried forward into the home, providing scope for further social and emotional development.

'As a mother who uses the centre, I am delighted that my daughter Rebecca (aged four and a half) is actively encouraged to mix with children in the younger age groups, including her brother Ben (aged two and a half). In another nursery where the children might not see each other all day, the opportunity for bonding may be denied them. Personally, I have found that it is often the case that the interaction developed during mixed age sessions is carried forward into the home, providing scope for further social and emotional development.

Throughout the day at BCC there are specific times when different age groups are brought together. Breakfast, lunch and snack times are very much 'family times' when all the children sit together chatting, sharing and helping each other. It is a key time for social development. It may be that siblings choose not to sit together but the opportunity is there.

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