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The Link Magazine. December 1998
Where have all the children gone?
THE LINK MAGAZINE UNDER 5s SURVEY
Toddler groups and pre-schools throughout West Swindon are strug-
gling to survive, with fewer and fewer children on their waiting lists.
What do parents want It is not clear why this is the case.
for pre-school children? Children can now start school in Link & Learn Pre-School, the only
the academic year in which they pre-school in West Swindon offer-
are five, although parents may opt ing sessions for 2 to 3 year olds still
Please complete this questionnaire and return it to the address below to use their vouchers, available has spaces available for January,
from the term in which a child is an unprecedented situation.
You could win a £10 gift voucher four, for nursery or pre-school edu- To help volunteer run parent and
if you choose to give your name and address. cation until they reach five. toddler and playgroups find out
Swindon Council has opened what parents, carers and their chil-
a guardian D a childminder LII
I am: a parent L1 free 52 place nursery classes at Salt dren need, The Link has put to-
Way and Toothill Schools; another gether a questionnaire.
I look after opens at Oliver Tomkins Infants in Please return it to The Link by 31
children aged under 5. Their ages are
January. This has had an impact December and you could win a
I live in West Swindon El Haydon Wick/Abbey Meads El on pre-school groups. £10 gift voucher.
But numbers at toddler groups, Many thanks for your help. We
Another area (please specify)
which generally cater for under- will publish our findings in the
How do you find out what is available for under 5s? threes, are continuing to dwindle. February edition.
Fun in Lydiard Park: aflashback to the late 1980s
when there was an annual Under 5s Festival in West Swindon
Would you find a local information booklet useful? YES / NO
My child(ren) attend(s): Please indicate how many hours per week
Toddler group
Pre-school (playgroup)
Day nursery
Nursery school
Creches
Childminder
Do you value traditional toddler groups
(where the parent stays with the child)? YES / NO
I prefer a) a structured environment with organised activities

OR
b) an unstructured, social group
How much are you prepared to pay to attend a toddler group? £
How far are you prepared to go to attend a toddler group? miles Giving Your Child
If your child goes to pre-school or nursery school, is it free? YES /NO The Best

Are you prepared to pay for pre-school provision? YES I NO In Quality Education
My child(ren) take(s) part in other activities: please indicate how often
Ridgeway Pre-School
Classes: e.g. toddler gym, swimming, dance times per month Inverary Road, Wroughton
Commercial indoor play facilities, ball parks, etc times per month
Quality education and childcare
Other (please specify) times per month
for 18 months to 5 years
Do you think there are enough facilities for under 5s? YES I NO
If not, what else would you like to see? Open 50 weeks a year, 8am-6pm

Full range of schedules available

If you have any further comments, please write below
Qualified teachers following the
nursery outcomes
ff
for learning A nursery with
,
Attach a separate sheet if necessary. no weaknesses in
Please contact Mrs G Simonds \ any curriculum area'
Please return this survey by 31 December on(01793)845572 /4
following our
to The Link, Papermakers House, Westlea, Swindon SN5 71313 .( OFSTED
inspection
(Mrs Simonds is a
To enter the draw for a £10 voucher, please give us your: trained nursery inspector)
Name A Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Address Year to all our parents and children