The expansion of early learning and childcare in Scotland is a significant opportunity to create additional physical capacity for high-quality experiences in facilities specifically designed for young children. The development of three reference designs was a collaborative exercise involving East Ayrshire Council, the Scottish Futures Trust, architects, consultants, and contractors. The Care Inspectorate has been consulted throughout and will continue to provide comments to support the development of these designs. The approach to this reference design work also embraces the benefits of outdoor learning and play for health and wellbeing, as well as physical and cognitive development. These reference designs provide a platform to inform local choices as to how individual buildings can best respond to local needs and emerging operating models of early learning and childcare.
