It is not only mothers and children who benefit from Falkirk College providing child-care facilities, but fathers too. Paul and Lesley Sweeney are both studying there and their son Brendan attends the Playpals nursery in the grounds.
''Without Playpals looking after Brendan we simply could not attend Falkirk College,'' said Paul. ''It is a great weight off my mind to know that Brendan is getting good care while we are studying. He simply loves going to it.''
Lesley said: ''Brendan is always going on about the things they have learned during the day and I especially like how they have theme weeks where they concentrate on one topic each week.''
The nursery follows the pre-school curriculum laid down by the Scottish Office and is open to children between the ages of three and five. It can take 16 children and places are available on a first come, first served basis.
''We are very proud of the nursery here,'' said Margaret Plank of Playpals. ''We have two full-time members of staff as well as a part-time member of staff who all have qualifications from the Scottish Nursery Nursing Examination Board.''
The full-time staff - Plank and Beverley Johnston - also have Post-Certificates in Nursery Nursing. An extra member of staff, there as part of the Skillseekers programme, is studying towards a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Child Care.
Charges are #2.50 per half-day and the nursery, which is open from 8.45am to 4.20pm, provides morning and afternoon snacks for the children.
''We have a structure to each day which involves a mix of fun and learning,'' said Plank.
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