Upstart Scotland

Campaign to introduce a kindergarten stage for children aged 3-7 (rights-focused, relationship-centred and play-based). Tweets by Upstart founder, Sue Palmer.

[Upstart Scotland @UpstartScot]

Day of Play next Saturday at QMU. Sounds brilliant! Hope lots of Upstarts will be there.
@KateJohnston3
@JonoLesley @tam_baillie @PlayScotland @connectedbaby @connect_scot @Creative_Voices @stramashoutdoor https://t.co/Wdz9tarLJC

[Go Radio @thisisgoradio]

Glasgow City Council's new education boss is being praised for rolling back screen-use in schools.

John McGhee's been appointed executive director of education. The former teacher has effectively banned tablet and mobile phone use in nurseries and will limit their use in primaries.

The move's being welcomed by families, and campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood.

[Education Scotland @EducationScot]

Currently working as a headteacher or manager in an ELC setting? Want to work with our ELC team on national priorities? Then come and join us as Early Learning and Childcare Education Scotland Associate!

Apply by 31 May: https://t.co/F10onGt5hD

[Jacqueline E Alexander @Wizzyswords]

@UpstartScot Totally... sadly for some it doesn't get started - not necessarily through a lack of care but through a lack of 'child literacy'? Agree love and play are an infant's literacy...

[Lesley Riddoch @LesleyRiddoch]

Lots of agonising about Broken Britain. Look east. Finland is world's happiest country 9 years running AND in top 10 most income equal. Affordable kindergarten & school at 7 = happiest kids & best results.
Film plus Q&A - Thurso Weds 20th & Stromness 25th https://t.co/gp9vU3hyVh

[Play Scotland @PlayScotland]

With only 3 weeks to go until International Day of Play, we're thrilled to see how many of you are getting involved!

We would love to know how you're celebrating! Let us know in the comments! 👇

Don't forget to register if you haven't already: https://t.co/YTPf1zpnaZ

[Upstart Scotland @UpstartScot]

Of course all literacy achievement begins in infancy. Loving care for babies/toddlers, inc talking/singing to/with them; telling stories, sharing nursery rhymes; as time goes on reading story books.
But it doesn't start by aiming at literacy. It starts by sharing love & play.

[Jacqueline E Alexander @Wizzyswords]

Poor reading hitting headlines AGAIN!

LET’S ALL BE NURTURERS | THE FUTURE IS NOW!

When children are not nurtured
The fall and they fail
When children are nurtured
They soar and they sail

Use the link to find #free resources to nurture ALL children
https://t.co/gd9TNUDGo4

[Play Scotland @PlayScotland]

11-16 May is Scottish Childminding Week! Among the many ways childminders provide vital support, they also play a crucial role in fostering play-based learning, enabling the child's right to play. A well-designed play environment supports children’s:

[Upstart Scotland @UpstartScot]

Eleven years ago today Upstart started tweeting! #MyXAnniversary

[Play Scotland @PlayScotland]

How are you planning on incorporating the #InternationalDayofPlay into your school day this June?
Two ways are to make extra time for play at lunch, or play a Stay & Play after school.
🤸‍♀️
What are you planning on doing?
https://t.co/YTPf1zpnaZ

[Educational Freedom @edfreeuk]

Researchers at the Open Uni are undertaking a piece of research to provide evidence to help MPs, Peers, LAs, and education settings understand why families are choosing elective home education or flexi-schooling, understand existing processes, & to shine a light on best practice.

[Upstart Scotland @UpstartScot]

Jings!
All Scotland's political parties' attitude to 'childcare' misses the point. If we want society to thrive, we have to provide the two essential ingredients for healthy development. They are LOVE and PLAY.
This isn't rocket science. It's the science of human development.

[Lesley Riddoch @LesleyRiddoch]

Reform in Scotland has absolutely no policy on childcare.
This is recording of @UpstartScot hustings where Reform candidate said there’s no mention of childcare because it’s complicated and they haven’t figured out a policy yet. Jings. https://t.co/nZJArfnYQt

[Lesley Riddoch @LesleyRiddoch]

Reform in Scotland has absolutely no policy on childcare.
This is recording of @UpstartScot hustings where Reform candidate said there’s no mention of childcare because it’s complicated and they haven’t figured out a policy yet. Jings. https://t.co/nZJArfnYQt

[Upstart Scotland @UpstartScot]

Brilliant idea! Hope to see lots of old (and young) friends there!
@KateJohnston3 @JonoLesley @GiveTimeScot @tam_baillie @connect_scot @CameronSprague2
https://t.co/osyMCY3j5J

[Kate Johnston @KateJohnston3]

This Friday afternoon. Lots of thought provoking talks.
https://t.co/MSWt4k51mH

[Upstart Scotland @UpstartScot]

A developmentally-appropriate kindergarten stage 3-7 is good for all children's physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. AND it cd help so much with the NEET problem...
@KateJohnston3 @JonoLesley @QMUniversity @WestLoCollege @fultonsnp @Ross_Greer @agcolehamilton

[Children & Young People Now @cypnow]

‘Identify Neet risk in early childhood’, says think-tank - CYP Now https://t.co/0uLYaQ3fL5

[Science girl @sciencegirl]

Research in Finland found that simply changing what children play on can quickly influence their immune system.

Scientists redesigned parts of nursery playgrounds by swapping gravel and asphalt for natural forest materials, soil, moss, leaf litter, and native plants, so kids would be exposed to the microbes found in nature. After just 28 days, clear biological differences emerged.

Children who played in these “rewilded” spaces developed a richer mix of microbes on their skin and in their gut. They also showed higher levels of regulatory T-cells, which help the body manage inflammation and reduce the risk of immune overreactions like allergies. These changes were not observed in children who stayed on conventional playground surfaces.

The findings support the biodiversity hypothesis, the idea that limited contact with natural environments, especially in urban life, may be linked to rising allergies and autoimmune conditions.

What stands out is how simple the intervention was. This wasn’t extreme outdoor exposure-just everyday play in a more natural setting. Even small, regular contact with soil and vegetation appears to shape the body’s internal ecosystem and how the immune system develops.

Learn more:
"Dirty Playgrounds: How Rewilding Finnish Schools Transformed
Children's Health." LettsSafari

[Upstart Scotland @UpstartScot]

If you're nearby, it's well worth a visit...

[Rachel McMillan Nursery School @RachelMcNursery]

Open Morning 10.30 to 12.30 tomorrow, 25th April 2026. Come and see this unique and characterful nursery school.
Call 02086924041 to book a place, visit our website https://t.co/gCU5Gv1yNO to book OR just turn up tomorrow morning.

[Rachel McMillan Nursery School @RachelMcNursery]

Open Morning 10.30 to 12.30 tomorrow, 25th April 2026. Come and see this unique and characterful nursery school.
Call 02086924041 to book a place, visit our website https://t.co/gCU5Gv1yNO to book OR just turn up tomorrow morning.

[Upstart Scotland @UpstartScot]

9 am 5-5-26. OECD discussion of literacy/numeracy AND overall child development at 5yrs old.
Sounds unmissable to me...
https://t.co/ksAwaNsnud
@KateJohnston3 @JonoLesley @GiveTimeScot @suzannezeedyk @Zoezebra @LesleyRiddoch