Learning

At Kidstore, learning happens everywhere… We believe children thrive when they can move freely between indoor and outdoor spaces, following their curiosity and finding inspiration in every corner of their world. Inside, little ones discover inviting spaces filled with books, art, music, and imaginative play. Outside, big skies, fresh air, and natural materials spark exploration, adventure, and joy.

By blending indoor and outdoor learning, we nurture creativity, resilience, and a deep connection to the world around us: helping each child grow, play, and learn in ways that feel exciting and meaningful to them.

Supporting Curriculum for Excellence

At Kidstore, learning is woven naturally through children’s play, relationships and everyday experiences.

For our nursery children, our approach is guided by Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence and an understanding of how young children learn and develop. We provide meaningful opportunities across literacy, numeracy, health and wellbeing, STEM, expressive arts, technologies, social studies and outdoor learning.

Experiences are shaped around each child’s interests, individual needs and stage of development. Children are encouraged to investigate, make choices, solve problems, express their ideas and develop confidence and independence.

Helping Children Become…

Successful Learners
Children investigate, experiment, solve problems and develop a love of learning.

Confident Individuals
They make choices, express their feelings, develop independence and recognise their own achievements.

Responsible Citizens
Children learn to care for others, respect differences and understand their role within the nursery and wider community.

Effective Contributors
They share ideas, work with others, make decisions and help shape their own experiences.

What Learning Looks Like at Kidstore

Children’s learning may include:

  • Stories, conversations, mark-making and early literacy

  • Counting, sorting, measuring and problem-solving

  • Science experiments, construction and STEM experiences

  • Music, movement, art and imaginative play

  • Outdoor exploration, nature and managed risk-taking

  • Developing friendships, confidence and emotional wellbeing

  • Learning about families, cultures and the local community

  • Children helping to plan and evaluate their experiences

Learning at BIG Kidstore

At BIG Kidstore, children have already spent much of their day in school, so our focus is on relaxation, friendships, choice and enjoyable play.

Our activities complement Curriculum for Excellence without recreating the school day. Through arts, STEM, sports, outdoor experiences, games and community activities, children can build confidence, creativity, teamwork and independence.

Children will help shape the service through conversations, consultations and floor books that record their ideas, wishes and preferred experiences.

Enquiry

Indoors

Our indoor spaces are warm, welcoming, and full of possibilities. Here, children can explore books, art, music, role-play, and sensory activities that spark curiosity and creativity.

With cosy corners and open-ended resources, we create an environment where little ones feel safe to experiment, express themselves, and learn through play: at their own pace, in their own way.

  • At Kidstore, stories are everywhere… in books, in songs, in play, and in the children’s own imaginations.

    Little ones can enjoy quiet moments with a favourite book or share stories together with friends and caring adults.

    Through singing, exploring musical instruments, and using puppets, children bring their ideas to life in joyful, creative ways.

    With gentle support, they can also create and tell their own stories through story scribing, helping imagination and early writing skills to blossom.

    Our story bags add a little extra magic too, enriching language and storytelling through playful, hands-on experiences.

  • Children love to get hands-on with construction play at Kidstore… building towers, roads, and all kinds of marvellous structures. With blocks, loose parts, and plenty of imagination, they create bustling towns, winding villages, and whole new worlds to explore.

    Along the way, they’re developing creativity, problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and fine motor strength: all while having lots of fun.

    Whether they’re zooming vehicles through their creations or dreaming up new adventures, this kind of play helps little ones think big, build confidence, and bring their ideas to life.

  • This is where children gather to enjoy most of their meals: though sometimes you’ll find us dining outdoors in the fresh air!

    Mealtimes are a chance to come together, share stories, and enjoy healthy, tasty food.

    Alongside this, little ones take part in hands-on food adventures: from baking bread and whipping up birthday cakes to making the occasional sweet treat.

    These joyful experiences help build practical life skills, spark creativity, and create moments of celebration we can all share.

  • Through sensory play, children are free to explore textures, sounds, scents, colours, and movement: sparking curiosity and supporting their development in joyful, hands-on ways.

    Whether they’re squishing mud between their fingers, pouring water through funnels, mixing potions with herbs and petals, or discovering the feel of sand and clay, little ones learn about the world through touch and experimentation.

    Sensory play helps build fine motor skills, supports early maths and science thinking, and encourages language and creativity: but most of all, it’s great fun!

    At Kidstore, getting messy is all part of the adventure.

  • In this space, creativity knows no bounds.

    Children are free to explore colours, textures, and materials as they bring their ideas to life… whether they’re making cards for loved ones, experimenting with paint and natural objects, or proudly practising early mark-making and name writing.

    With a wide variety of tools and open-ended opportunities, little ones express themselves in their own unique way, while building the fine motor skills and early literacy that will support them on their learning journey.

    At Kidstore, every mark, squiggle, and splash of colour tells a story.

  • At Kidstore, big spaces mean big adventures! Physical play is a joyful part of every day, helping little ones build strength, coordination, and confidence.

    Whether they’re climbing, balancing, running through the garden, or dancing to their favourite songs, children are encouraged to move freely and explore what their bodies can do.

    Natural materials, obstacle courses, and plenty of open space inspire active play and creative movement.

    Through these experiences, children develop not only physical skills, but also resilience, teamwork, and a love of being active.. all while having lots of fun along the way.

Outdoors

Our big outdoor spaces are made for adventure. Whether climbing, digging, exploring nature, or simply running free, children learn through movement, discovery, and play.

Outdoors, every day brings new opportunities to build confidence, curiosity, and a love for the natural world: all in the fresh air and open sky.

  • With our DREAM IT approach, children Discover, Reflect, Explore, Achieve, Move, Imagine, and Thrive outdoors. They grow in confidence, wellbeing, and a love of learning through play in nature.

  • With our BUILD IT approach, children Build, Understand, Imagine, Learn, Discover, Invent, and Try. From dens and block towers to creations with natural materials, they work together, problem-solve, and take pride in their achievements.

  • With our GROW IT approach, children Garden, Respect, Observe, Wonder, Investigate, and Try. From planting seeds to caring for living things, they develop responsibility, patience, and joy in watching the world around them grow.