Business Details
19 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare & Early Learning in Falkland
Established in 2007, Smart Cookies Nursery is a family-run childcare provider located in the historic village of Falkland, Fife. Our nursery offers high-quality early learning and childcare for children aged 1 year until school age, operating 52 weeks a year with flexible session options. We maintain an excellent reputation for our warm, inclusive environment and commitment to child development through play-based learning. Registered with The Care Inspectorate, we consistently exceed regulatory standards while fostering strong partnerships with parents and the local community. Our team of qualified practitioners delivers tailored care, with staff working four-day weeks to ensure continuity for children.We prioritise outdoor learning experiences and maintain strong connections with local institutions like Falkland Palace and the National Trust for Scotland. Our approach combines national curriculum guidelines with individualised learning journals to track each child's progress. Through regular parent consultations and transparent policies, we ensure families feel confident in our care. Our facility includes age-specific rooms with dedicated outdoor spaces for different developmental stages.
Services
Early Childhood Education
Outdoor Learning Sessions
Funded Childcare Provision
Settling-In Sessions
Snack & Meal Provision
Parent Partnerships
Child Development Tracking
Community Engagement
Flexible Session Options
Specialist Room Environments
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- Family-run nursery with 17 years' experience in early years education
- Qualified practitioners with four-day working patterns for continuity
- Unique outdoor learning programme in historic Falkland village
- Proven track record with 100% parent recommendation rate
- Flexible funding options including 1140 free hours provision
Associations and certifications
- The Care Inspectorate
What people say
Friendly staff
Challenging and exciting activities
Delighted with progress
Genuine interest in care
Excellent community connections
Services
Early Childhood Education
Our curriculum follows national guidelines while providing individualised learning through play. Children develop literacy, numeracy, and social skills through hands-on activities. Qualified practitioners create personalised learning journals to track each child's development.
Outdoor Learning Sessions
Daily outdoor activities utilise our historic village setting for real-world learning. Children explore nature, practice road safety, and engage in investigative play. Our secure gardens feature mud kitchens, balance bikes, and sensory exploration areas.
Funded Childcare Provision
Eligible 2-5 year olds can access 1140 free hours annually through Fife Council funding. This saves families up to 6,612 yearly while providing structured early education. Sessions integrate seamlessly with our paid childcare options.
Settling-In Sessions
Gradual introduction process ensures children adapt comfortably to nursery life. Free sessions allow staff to build relationships and understand individual needs. Parents receive regular updates during this critical adjustment period.
Snack & Meal Provision
Nutritionally balanced snacks follow NHS Scotland guidelines. Children participate in food preparation activities while learning healthy eating habits. All dietary requirements and allergies are carefully accommodated.
People
Irene Tudor
Nursery Owner / Manager
With teaching experience since 1973 and qualifications including a MA in English & Psychology, Irene provides educational leadership. She ensures our nursery maintains high standards through continuous professional development.
Ross Tudor
Nursery Owner / General Manager
Specialising in outdoor learning and STEAM education, Ross brings practical expertise to our nursery. His enthusiasm for hands-on learning helps children develop problem-solving skills through real-world projects.
Tracy Thomson
Nursery Manager
Holding a BA in Childhood Practice, Tracy has 17 years' experience in childcare. She oversees daily operations and maintains our commitment to quality care and educational excellence.
Pamela Winton
Office Administrator
With 25 years' administrative experience, Pam manages nursery operations efficiently. Her background in financial and cooperative sectors ensures smooth administrative support for staff and families.
Questions
What age range do you accept?
We care for children from approximately 1 year old until they start school, with dedicated rooms for different developmental stages.
Do you offer funded childcare places?
Yes, we're registered with Fife Council to provide 1140 free hours annually for eligible 2-5 year olds, saving families up to £6,612 yearly.
How do you support child transitions?
Our free settling-in sessions allow gradual adaptation with staff building relationships. We tailor the process to each child's individual needs.
What outdoor learning opportunities exist?
Daily outdoor activities utilise our historic village setting for nature exploration, road safety practice, and sensory play in purpose-designed garden spaces.
How do you communicate with parents?
We maintain open communication through daily diaries, learning journals, and regular consultations. Parents receive monthly invoices and can access records on request.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
All practitioners have SVQ3 or HNC level qualifications (or higher). Staff undergo continuous training and maintain registrations with SSSC and Disclosure Scotland.
Reviews (4)
L. M.
Aug 15, 2019
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My little girl loved it here! She learnt a lot from this nursery. It was such a happy sunny place and she will miss them all. We had to move up North and they even made the sweetest book with pictures over the time she was there. They let me swap days without any issues and I don't know many nurserys that do that.
Emma Baillie
Aug 14, 2018
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Great friendly nursery, nothing is to much for the staff always happy to help. Children are always making use of our local area and are offered quality resources in the setting. So lucky to have this facility in our village. Thanks again for everything :)
Jo Dove
Feb 13, 2018
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I can’t rate Smart Cookies highly enough. All the staff are absolutely wonderful and take a huge amount of care with the wee ones. Both of my little boys attend and are so happy in their rooms. It’s great to drop them in and feel so confident that they are going to be well looked after and have loads of fun!
Lara Stuart
Jul 18, 2017
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My daughter attends here having come from a less than satisfactory nursery in Cupar. Irene and Ross provide an exceptional service. The structure and activities they provide in the nursery, I have found in no other (my other child having attended two private nurseries also). All staff are loving approachable and highly knowledgeable. Irene, Ross and other key staff, I really consider like family - personally having low family support. I cannot recommend this nursery enough. My standards across the board are very high and the whole team have exceed those in every area! My daughter absolutely LOVES
