Business Details
Trusted Childcare and Early Learning in Lockerbie
At Mid Annandale Playcare, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, flexible childcare services tailored to meet the needs of families in our community. Established as a non-profit organisation, we operate under the guidance of a board of directors committed to maintaining accessible, affordable care for children aged 3 months to school age. Our purpose-built facility offers a safe, inclusive environment where children engage in play-based learning aligned with Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence. We prioritise outdoor exploration, offering a natural grass area with trees and wildlife to foster curiosity and physical development. Our team of trained professionals delivers continuous care, completing essential certifications in child protection, food hygiene, and first aid while pursuing ongoing professional development. We collaborate with Dumfries and Galloway Council to provide funded early learning hours for eligible children, ensuring our services remain accessible to all families.Through structured routines and flexible scheduling across 50 weeks annually, we support children's social, emotional, and cognitive growth while giving parents peace of mind. Our commitment to quality care is reflected in our low staff-to-child ratios, purpose-designed spaces, and emphasis on building confidence through play. By integrating educational frameworks with hands-on experiences, we create an environment where every child can thrive. Our out-of-school and holiday care programs extend this support, offering supervised activities and transportation for local schoolchildren. As a community-focused organisation, we continually strive to enhance our services while maintaining transparency and accountability to families and partners.
Services
Babycare
Daycare
Early Learning
Out of School Care
Holiday Club
Highlights and features
- We are a non-profit organisation governed by a community-appointed board
- Our staff complete regular training in child protection and first aid
- We offer funded childcare places through Dumfries and Galloway Council
- Our natural outdoor area supports experiential learning and physical development
- We maintain low staff-to-child ratios for personalised care
Services
Babycare
Our Babycare service supports children aged 3 months to 2 years in a nurturing environment with 1:3 staff ratios. Separate sleeping and nappy-changing areas ensure comfort, while our home-from-home atmosphere promotes secure attachment. Parents provide formula milk, nappies, and clothing to maintain familiar routines for each baby.
Early Learning
Early Learning provision follows Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence, focusing on holistic development through play. Children aged 3-5 engage in structured learning experiences that build social skills, independence, and curiosity. Funded places available for eligible 2, 3, and 4-year-olds through Dumfries and Galloway Council partnerships.
Out of School Care
Out of School Care provides supervised activities for school-age children before and after school hours. Breakfast is included between 7:30-8:00am, with staff collecting children from Lockerbie Primary School at 3:00pm. This service extends to holiday periods and school closure days.
Holiday Club
Holiday Club operates during school holidays and staff training days, offering structured play activities for school-age children. The program maintains continuity of care while providing new experiences that support ongoing development through themed learning opportunities and outdoor exploration.
Outdoor Play
Outdoor Play forms a core part of our curriculum, with natural grass areas featuring fruit trees and wildlife habitats. Children develop physical skills through climbing and gardening activities while learning environmental awareness. Daily outdoor sessions ensure all children benefit from fresh air and nature-based learning experiences.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We provide care for children aged 3 months to school age, with specific programs for babies, preschoolers, and school-age children.
Are funded childcare places available?
Yes, we offer funded Early Learning and Childcare hours for eligible 2, 3, and 4-year-olds through our partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council.
What are your operating hours?
We operate Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 6:00pm, with holiday care available during school breaks and staff training days.
How do you support child development?
Our play-based curriculum follows Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence, focusing on social skills, independence, and learning through outdoor exploration and structured activities.
What safety measures are in place?
All staff hold current child protection, first aid, and food hygiene certifications, with regular training updates and strict child-to-staff ratios maintained across all programs.
