Page 20 - link magazine

20 The Link Magazine • October 2000 fog
F40-16;
Children's

Information The childcare problem for parents
Service Swindon Mums returning to work are often faced by inflexible and expensive nursery provision, unsympathetic
employers and negative attitudes towards their needs. Some wonder whether it is worth going back.
Tel: (01793) 541786 A meeting on 7 September or- pecially for those on shift work. not a luxury. In a town crying out
ganisedby Marianne Crowley and Nurses were particularly bitter for skilled staff, it is a necessity.
#usf 011E Call Natalie Strong brought some of at the way NHS managers at PMH Julia Drown said, the meeting
the frustration to the surface from were spending money on recruit- was useful in that it identified that
and your childcare
the 40 women who were there. ing staff in Australia when they Swindon is relatively well off for
worries are eased! Marianne herself was faced by a had employees willing to work childcare. Although government
demand for double the fees to keep extra hours, but need help with action has encouraged the big ex-
CIS is funded by Swindon the days she needed care for her childcare facilities to suit the hours pansion of childcare places in the
Borough Council, and son Daniel. She said, "I know a they work. town, there are still gaps.
supported by the Early mother who works full time and A midwife, who had spent four "I understand the needs of shift
Years Development and
Childcare Partnership takes home £800 per month, but years training, had given up work working parents having difficul-
Reg. charity: 1081621 has to pay £600 in care." because she felt it was not viable to ties in getting childcare. I have
South Swindon MP Julia Drown pay for nursery care, raised the concerns of nurses with
attended the meeting to listen to Other parents said they had to the local health trust and expect to
Swindon & parents, with representatives from accept low paid jobs with unsocia- see improvement.
the Swindon Early Years Partner- ble evening and weekend work, so "I'm also continuing to push the
Cricklade Railway ship, the Chamber of Commerce their partner could look after the government to extend the eligibil-
and the Institute of Personnel and children. Women with more than ity of the Working Family Tax
Halloween Development one child found it virtually impos- Credit provisions to help even
A key issue of concern that came sible to return to the workplace. more people with their childcare
Ghost Train out of the meeting was inflexible Marianne said, "the overriding costs."
hours by childcare providers, es- feeling at the meeting was that the If you are a parent or carer and
Tuesday ©© government and employees need have experienced difficulties write
31 October SNAPPY bRESSERS to do more to help and entice to Marianne Crowley, 20 Devon
women back to work. Childcare is Road, Swindon, SN2 1PQ.
Trains leave Nursery equipment &
children's clothes
from 7pm New twins club opens in October•
Excellent quality,
Charlotte Corfield from Middleleaze was delighted when told to
Blunsdon Station nearly new expect twins, but having given birth to Oliver and Ethan in mid-April
•
Tadpole Lane, Swindon Nicci: 886877 she was disappointed to discover that there was no group for multi-
Tel: (01793) 771615 Joanne:542726 ple-birth parents.
Not one to be put off by a bit of organisa-
tion, the former Freshbrook School teacher
is reviving the West Swindon Twins Club,
Ridgeway Pre-School which is open to all parents in the town.
She said, "well over fifty sets have been
born at PMH this year, I was the sixth mother
Inverary Road, Wroughton to have twins in the same week. Nobody
seems to know why Swindon has a higher
than average incidence of twins.
Safe, Loved & Learning "We do have particular needs when look-
ing after twins. The group aims to be a place
to share the joys and moans of coping with
e L?eal 9 2uah4 educa a double bundle of fun."
The twins club meets for the first time on Charlotte, Ethan
and Oliver
Monday 2 October, 10am to 12 noon in the
Quality education Toybox Junction creche at the Great Western Designer Village. Get
and childcare togethers will be on the first Monday of the month, more often if there
is a demand. For details, call Charlotte on 881015.
for 18 months to
5 years Kids clothes at keen prices
Nicci Nyahwa and Joanne Lune are celebrating a
Open 50 weeks year since setting up their as new kids equipment
and clothes business, Snappy Dressers.
a year, 8am-6pm They hold sales at playgroups and charity events
where a range of quality clothing at realistic prices
Full range of is offered, with a percentage going to the host. For
details, call Nicci on 886877 or Joanne on 542726.
schedules
available NEARLY NEW SALE
organised by the National Childbirth Trust to include the sale of baby,
Qualified teachers children and maternity clothes and baby equipment and toys
For more information Saturday 7 October, 11 am to 1 pm, Oasis Leisure Centre
following the and to arrange a visit, Admission 50p
nursery outcomes please contact Contact Amanda Heard on 771854 for a seller's pack
Mrs D Bailey Please note: Good quality baby equipment, toys, baby and maternity clothes in clean
for learning condition will be sold on a 25% commission basis to the Swindon branch of the National
(01793) 845572 Childbirth Trust. No sale, no fee.

NCT