Welcome to Arnhall Nursery
About us
At Arnhall Day Nursery we strive to create a warm and happy atmosphere where learning is fun; with innovative and creative opportunities to experience high quality play, experience nature first hand to promote children’s creativity, extend their thinking, widen their skills and consolidate their individual leaning both at nursery and at home.
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.
Awards
Our nursery is incredibly proud to have achieved the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, demonstrating the importance we place on environmental education and empowering children to make positive changes from an early age. Achieving Eco-Schools Green Flag status reflects our long-term commitment to sustainability.
It is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of our children, staff, families and community. By making sustainability part of everyday nursery life, we are helping children understand the importance of caring for our planet and giving them the knowledge, confidence and opportunities to make a difference.
As our Eco-Schools journey continues, we look forward to building on our progress, learning together and creating greener, more sustainable environments for children to enjoy for years to come.
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 suitable and sufficient resources within an attractive environment.
- To provide a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment designed to meet each child’s individual needs in line with UNCRC and GIRFEC documents.
- To encourage children to form good relationships with their peers and adults and foster good relationships with parents and other agencies.
- 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 work effective as a team to promote staff development and progression within our setting.
- 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 support the children in becoming healthy individuals.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Parent information
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).
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.
Waiting List
As places are limited and to avoid disappointment, applications for places should be made well in advance of your required start date. If the sessions you require are full, your child’s name is put onto a waiting list. No registration fee is required for the waiting list.
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:
2026-2027 ELC Application Form Stirling Council
Absence & Illness
Contact should be made as early as possible concerning individual days of absence and relevant information with regard to illness is appreciated. Fees remain payable. Notice of any holidays that you intend your child to take from nursery should be provided. Fees remain payable.
Nursery Closure
There may be occasions where it will be necessary to close the nursery due to unforeseen circumstances. These will be due to outside influences that affect the daily running of the nursery and do not allow us to meet our strict health and safety guidelines e.g. adverse weather conditions, power failure etc – this list is not exclusive or exhaustive. In cases of adverse weather, the nursery may close early to allow service users to travel home safely. Fees remain payable.
Extra Curricular Activities
The nursery regularly undertakes extra curriculum activities such as Play on Pedals, Book Bug and Enjoy-a-ball. We all offer Spanish and French lessons at an extra charge. These activities are voted by children and parents and regularly change each term depending on the requirements of our children/parents.
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.
Duty of Candour
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. In her spare time Norma enjoys spending time with her family and friends and cycling.
Hannah Mcfarlane
Deputy Manager
Hannah joined Arnhall in August 2016. She holds her SVQ Level 3 in Early Years Education + Childcare, HND in Childhood Practice and her PDA8. Hannah also has her Level 3 Forest School Leader Accreditation.
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.
Play, Learn & Share
Your child’s early years are a special time of learning, discovery and growth. At Arnhall Nursery, our role is to work in partnership with you, building strong and positive relationships that connect your child’s nursery experience with their home and family life.
Through regular communication and close collaboration with families, we aim to ensure that you feel fully confident that your child is safe, nurtured, valued and supported. We provide your child with the space and opportunities to play, learn, explore and share their experiences in a caring and stimulating environment.
At Arnhall Nursery, we have created a secure, welcoming and engaging environment where every child can develop the skills, confidence and independence they need to become a successful learner, a confident individual, a 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.
Playrooms
Bumblebee Room
3-24 months
Butterfly Room
18-36 months
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.
Dragonfly Room
30 months - School Age
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.
Grasshopper Room
30 months - School Age
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 & Forest Schools
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.
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 Reviews
Grandparents Wanted!
Love, learning and family all in one place! We recognise the incredible value grandparents bring to children’s lives. Our nursery is proud to offer opportunities for grandparents to join our team (T&Cs apply).
- 25% Discount on your grandchild’s nursery fees (for the days you work)
- Paycare Benefits Programme (includes medical cover, high street discounts and much more!)
- Ongoing support and training
- Welcoming and professional environment
If you are passionate about supporting children and would like to be a part of an experienced nursery team, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Interested? Call us at 01786 822391 for more information!