Among the many major decisions you will make concerning your children’s future, quality, caring childcare during the day is an issue close to many parents’ hearts. Not only do you need to ensure that your children are happy, comfortable and well-looked-after, but during their formative, pre-school years they are learning more than they ever will during the rest of their lives. It is important to start their education as early as possible - but of course, it has to be fun at the same time. This is Tiny Toes’ Playschool’s main criteria, because owners Kay and Geoff know that it is yours, too.

As soon as I met Kay I could see that she was in her element looking after and educating young children. Her warm, soothing and calm personality makes children feel instantly safe and fills their parents with the confidence that their little ones will be treated as one of the family. Helped by husband Geoff, Kay has run the playschool now since September and is proud of the high standards she maintains from her twenty-five years as a pre-school teacher in the UK and in Saudi Arabia. The latter post was in an international school where she came across children of all nationalities and walks of life, so she is sensitive to cultural differences and encourages children to celebrate them. “We have themed weeks throughout the year - we’ve done Ramadan, the Chinese New Year and Christmas,” Kay explained. Upon her return to the UK, she studied for a pre-school teaching diploma and became manager of a nursery with 65 children, which always received glowing OFSTED reports - “but it was always my dream to open my own playschool,” she enthused. Now that the dream has come true, and Tiny Toes already has eight children attending regularly, her dedication is obvious to all who speak to her. “I’m a member of Practical Pre-School, a professional body that maintains standards for under-fives’ education. It means I can keep ahead of changes in the curriculum, and I regularly attend courses in the UK to refresh and update my knowledge,” she clarifies. “I run the playschool here exactly as I would in Britain. We follow the English curriculum and stick to the required ratio of staff to children - one teacher per six at age two and one per eight at age three.” For parents’ added peace of mind, Kay has also been through the criminal records bureau check that is carried out in Britain for anyone who intends to work with children and holds qualifications  in first aid, basic food handling and hygiene, as well as impeccable references.
Although caring and relaxed in its atmosphere, the playschool is very professionally-run, with written policies concerning equal opportunities, standards of behaviour, and registration forms where parents should indicate their children’s medical conditions if applicable. Even if your child has learning difficulties, he or she will feel at home at Tiny Toes - Kay is a qualified special needs teacher and her encouraging manner will help your children to realise their full potential.
Tiny Toes is situated amid the beautiful pine forests and mountains of Xàbia’s Costa Nova district, overlooking a tranquil bay, and inside is decorated in a colourful, spirited, child-friendly fashion. A complete ‘kitchen’ with a table and food, ironing board and appliances in one room teaches the children about household items and amongst the fun pictures and flashcards are examples of the little ones’ works of art. “Last week we did Hallowe’en, but this month we are learning shapes, starting with circles,” Kay points out. “The kids have made paper pizzas, drawn circles and clocks, and we have been to the beach to find circle-shaped stones. We’ve also been teaching them colours, and this week’s colour is orange, so the children have been drawing round their hands and feet on orange paper, and painting orange pictures.” As I was talking to Kay, three-year-old Demi proudly showed her father which ones she had made that day. All parents who are gifted artists themselves, or musicians, can also come in to help out, giving them a real opportunity to be part of their child’s learning. This learning is made as fun as possible and involves music and movement, songs, painting, baking and Play-Doh as well as day-trips. So far the children have been to the beach and to the park, a Christmas party with Santa Claus is planned for next month and next year Kay and Geoff hope to take them to Vergel Safari Park. “Probably as part of a project about wild animals - we might have them making or drawing their own lions and tigers and then run an excursion to the Safari Park so they can see them for themselves.”
I’m starting to feel jealous that I’m not three years old and can’t join in, it sounds so much fun. “It is,” assures Geoff, “The kids love it, and they learn, too. We don’t have any tears here - except now and again at hometime, because they don’t want to leave!” Well, that says it all, really. What more could you want for your children but structured, detailed learning through fun and games, a friendly, happy atmosphere and knowing that they were safe, comfortable and well-cared-for?

Tiny Toes’ morning session runs from 9.00 to 12.00hrs and afternoons from 13.00 to 15.30hrs, although children may come earlier or leave later by arrangement if necessary. Lunch is not provided although drinks and snacks of biscuits and fruit are supplied mid-morning.

The playschool can be found on carrer Rasclo, 5, off carrer de la Guatla in the Costa Nova region of Xàbia.  For further information and enrolment, contact Kay or Geoff on 647 661 826.