Page 16 - link magazine

16 The Link Magazine • July 2000
F40-.^ Fivzt4

Parents face tough choices
MONKEY
as pre-schools struggle to meet demand
MAYHEM
The youngest and often least prepared children to start school in the autumn term are the 'summer born.'
dult and Childrens They miss out on the pre-school education opportunities offered to their friends who will begin reception
Bou st ire classes alongside them, writes Tanya Parkinson, below.
lout Summer born chil- the youngsters. Many the best option is to plan a baby for
Di c all Mon ay dren are those who are not ready for the the autumn to ensure adequate pre-
t W booki gs reach their fourth social and physical school provision.
birthday between 31 demands of school For children due to start school
II 4339 8 March and 31 August. life. Although new in September 2001, January or
Since the introduction regulations have lim- April 2002, the closing date for
free r ildren's of the voucher fund- ited the number in registration is Friday 16 February
part atalogue ing scheme, schools each class, it can still 2001. The deadline may differ for
Eve pyneretdneed for within Swindon LEA be as many as 30. church schools.
y 's party take children into their Pressure on pre- Contact your local school in good
reception classes who schools in Abbey time before this date to complete a
are often only just four Mead and Haydon registration form. For further help
years old. This boosts Wick is so great that or advice about admissions or
funds for the school, but is not many of the summer born chil- transfers, call Swindon Education
WHY BUY necessarily in the best interest of dren are only being offered two on 465791.
sessions a week up to the time they
WHEN YOU start school. They receive no gov-
BOId CAN HIRE? Spaces available ernment funding so will not have Farm visits nursery
Bright Stars pre-school at the spent very long at pre-school, or
Nursery Equipment Hire Hreod Parkway Youth Centre in have started working on the desir-
• New all-terrain buggies Moredon offers sessions for two able learning outcomes, a separate
- JUSTIN and three year olds every Tues- curriculum for children before the
• Child car seat advice & fitting day and Thursday afternoon. age of five.
There are five morning sessions, Part of the problem is that prior-
• Qualified buggy repairers
of up to 4 hours, for three to five ity has to be given to the older
• Ball pool - perfect for
year olds. funded children who will spend
toddlers parties The children work towards the up to two years in pre-school and
01793 534582 Early Years Goals in a fun and have to be offered five sessions a
All equipment fully insured and entertaining way. For details, call week. This, and the fact that there
to the latest British standards Debbie on 526098. is generally only one intake of chil-
dren by schools in September each
year, means that pre-school num-
Ridgeway Pre-School LWA bers peak in the summer term and
drop away at the beginning of the
autumn term. This causes a very
Inverary Road, Wroughton w4I difficult financial and planning The Manor Farm mobile farmyard
balancing act. Pre-schools are frus-
trated that they operate below ca- paid a visit to Headstarts Nursery
on 9 June.
pacity in the autumn because
Qi places have to be saved for the rabbits, chickens, ducks, sheep and
On board were a pony, a calf,
funded children who become four lambs and a couple of noisy pigs.
7he /wit 9 2uaI before 31 March. Manor Farm in Lechlade is open
This scenario means summer
born children are missing out. A seven days a week, 10am to 6pm
and runs summer holiday camps
Quality education child, who until July is at pre- for children aged 4 to 11 years. For
school just twice a week, with a
details, call 01367 253821.
and childcare staff to child ratio of 1:8 or less may Above, Terri Woo/ford and David
find it very challenging being left
for 18 months to five mornings a week at their new Mace show off Daniel the lamb and
Paddy the Shetland Pony to
5 years school with ratios of at least 1:15. Headstarts children Joshua Cole and
Although not widely publicised,
parents can choose to keep their Elearnor Larkin
Open 50 weeks child at pre-school until either the
January or Easter term. The disad-
a year, 8am-6pm vantage perceived by many par-
ents is the fear that their child will Rainbow Playgroup,
Full range of not be allocated a place at their Freshbrook
catchment school. But Swindon's
schedules Education Department is adamant Playgroup Supervisor
available that this will not happen. It is their NVQ 3 qualified. £4.50/hour
policy only to refuse places on the Assistant
grounds of an infant class size ex-
For more information No qualifications. £4/hour
Qualified teachers ceeding 30. However it is essential
and to arrange a visit, parents register their child by the Call Fran on 872948
following the please contact deadline shown here.
It is not an easy decision and
nursery outcomes Mrs D Bailey parents should speak to the pre- Kiln Park Pre-School, Toothill
needs a NVQ 3 Supervisor
for learning (01793) 845572 school and school. Rate from £5, negotiable on experience
For prospective parents perhaps Call Hywel Rees on 07941 278308