Page 18 - link magazine

FAMILIES WITH UNDER 5s
18
Project helps children in early years Toddler Out West
In September 1988 Wiltshire A booklet packed with useful
County Council allocated extra information for under fives and
financial support for teachers to their families in West Swindon
work in the urban schools in has just been re-launched.
Called "Toddler Out West,"
Swindon and the military service the booklet aims to help parents
schools in Salisbury. with information about services,
The Project Team in Swindon facilities and community groups
consists of five teachers working for pre-school children.
in a variety of areas. In West Health, welfare and social
Swindon, Claire Campion is at- needs are all listed and there is a
tached to Toothill and short description by nearly every
Freshbrook Schools to work with parent and toddler group in the
the children there and in the local area. All the groups are different
community. as they are each run by the volun-
The 'Early Years Education A teer members. Some are social
Project' is a pilot scheme which is Claire Campion (centre) helps out at Toothill 's Dunwich Drive Playgroup with, gatherings for the parent and
planned to run for two years. At from left to right, playgroup mum Dawn Bathe, Cheryl Rideout, Shannel Reece, child, others put emphasis on
the end of this period it is hoped Donna Huddy and playgroup supervisor Janet Freeguard creative activity together.
that the project may move to services and the schools. This Under 5's Forum,' several play- Unfortunately, many of the
other schools. will hopefully ensure that all groups and many parent and parent and toddler groups and
The Early Years Education parents and children have an toddler groups. Some of the the playgroups have waiting
Support Team has a variety of early contact with learning. ways that the EYE project team lists. This can be very frustrating
roles. One of their most impor- In West Swindon there are can compliment this existing for parents who want to meet
others and want their children to
tant functions will be to liaise quite a number organisations provision for young children take part in activities.
between parents, playgroups, working with children under 5. could be to develop toy libraries, "Toddler Out West" has been
childminders, health and social These include the West Swindon toy packs and parent and child compiled by 'West Swindon
activity afternoons in the schools Under 5s,' a group that tries to
SWINDON SOFT WATER concerned. bring groups and individuals
Makes water softenin • sim • le If anybody would like to dis- concerned with pre-school chil-
No 1 Best se ing water so ener in t e UK cuss the aims of the Project Team dren together to discuss matters
or would like to be involved in of interest. Copies of the booklet
KINETI the activities please contact can be obtained free of charge
Claire Campion at Toothill from the Community Suite in the
The world's most advanced fully automatic non-electric meter-controlled system. School, telephone 47250. Link Centre
Showroom at 260 Ferndale Road, Swindon
Call BRIAN COX on SWINDON 27172
Parents in fifth New Parent &
CAKTRAVIEUEAD. village wait for Toddler group in
building to start
Freshbrook looks for
SQL IC IT OR S playgroup more members
A group of parents at Sparcells, A new pre-school group has
Contact us for all your legal needs
West Swindon's fifth and at started at Freshbrook Commu-
including present most remote village, nity Centre. Called Freshbrook
have started fundraising to set Ladybirds, the group aims to
house sales & purchases,
up a playgroup as soon as a tem- bring parents and children un-
matrimonial matters and porary community building der three years of age together
can be set up in their area. for a couple of hours of play and
criminal law.
The group, which was fea- chat on a Monday afternoon.
tured on the front page of the Ladybirds was launched by
103-4 Commercial Road, Swindon. October Link, have been meet- Nicki Grey of Lisle Close,
ing on the Locobus, Swindon's Grange Park. "Me and a friend
Tel: 617617 mobile community centre. were moaning about having
However the bus can only visit nothing to do and the children
the area on Friday mornings were getting bored, so we de-
between 10.30a.m. and noon, cided to get out and organise
for a few more weeks. So a something.
more permanent arrangement "Ladybirds is a new group, so
is needed soon to cater for the we're looking for new people to
growing number of pre-school join the five of us who have been
children living in the area. meeting so far. It a good way for
Several local housebuilders the children to meet others and
h1èx HairSAlon have indicated that they maybe for mums to get together for a
Special Offer for November willing to contribute to the chat."
Goldwell Biolife Perm abjoIjf purchase of a temporary buil- The group meets in
ing to cater for the people who Freshbrook Community Centre
£25.95 inclusive PERMING SYSTEM have bought houses from them. on a Monday, from 1.30p.m. to
+ 200m1. shampoo & conditioner. T he parents group will be car- 3.30p.m. To keep costs down,
rying out a survey of the num- refreshments are organised by
Normal Price £33.25 ber of under 5s in the area dur- the group and each person is
Shaw Village Centre • Tel: 874825 ing November and will be call- asked to bring their own mug.
Freshbrook Village Centre • Tel: 873217 ing a meeting of interested par- To find out more about Lady-
ents later in the month. birds, ring Nicki Grey on 872483.