Page 17 - link magazine

The Link Magazine - June 2001 17
Playgroup forced to close for lack of qualified staff
More mothers than ever are in work, but Julia Hinns, chair of Woodlands Kindergarten, says boosting
childcare does not fit comfortably with the booming Swindon economy.
The supervisor at Woodlands
Kindergarten in Peatmoor is leav-
ing after 4 years to return to her
QUALIFIED NAILTECHNICIAN
original vocation in nursing and
HOME VISITS
as the group has been unable to
recruit another qualified person Full set of nails
it is being forced to close its doors
in July. using UV gel system
The job involves three mornings *430*
actual playgroup contact time but
as everyone in the field appreci- call Tracy on 01 793 700783
ates double this length of time can or 077309 86400 for an
be spent planning, as a volunteer. appointment & further prices
The recruitment problem is not
surprising in this booming town
of full employment; many compa- Soon to close. Woodlands Kindergar-
ten children and staff, rear from left,
nies are introducing more work/
Nathan Hoy, Lisa Tyne, James Hinns,
life balance policies just to be able .1 Touch of 9-lealth
to recruit and maintain motivated Henry Prothero, Julie Dineen,
Bronwen Brown, Alex Shawe, Linda
staff. However, another nail in this Shiatsu c Qeik with Mike ye ffers
playgroup's coffin has been the Golder, Page Street. Sitting, Hollie
fact that childcare is so badly paid Hill, Sam Haskell, Robbie Maggs, Shiatsu is a traditional Japanese healing art, using the power of
with supervisors earning little Bradley Mann touch and movement. Reiki is an ancient form of healing that
more than the minimum wage. stimulates the body's own natural ability to heal itself.
The Department for Education Pre-school crisis A one hour tailor made treatment can help:
& Employment (DfEE) has set high back pain, migraines, whiplash injuries, IBS,
targets for increasing childcare in the West? stress, insomnia and sports injuries.
places in all 150 areas in England Four pre-schools and nurseries in
and Wales in their vision of en- West Swindon are under threat. Qelieve the pressures of fife
couraging more people into the Apart from Woodlands closing, Call now and askme how
workforce. It is investing millions the Roughmoor Farm Nursery, just T..
in the Early Years Development & two hundred yards away, is shutt- For A Touch of Health
Childcare Partnerships to meet ing in July.
these aims and putting in substan- The Greendown playgroup su- call 01793 877634
tially more funding for the educa- pervisor is leaving and it will have
tion of 3 and 4 year olds in pre- to vacate its room because the sec-
schools and with accredited ondary school is oversubscribed
childminders. and needs space to run its curricu-
But qualified, experienced child- lum. The school is trying to help
carers are leaving their jobs, with the group get a mobile building on
many being attracted to call cen- site so that it can continue.
tres where there is limited respon- Kiln Park pre-school in Toothill
sibility for double the hourly pay. is also looking for a supervisor. 4-7 yrs
Targets being set by the DfEE in- School 2-4 yrs
clude attracting more men and Excellent Ofsted for Kiln Park
over 40's into this field of work. The group has received an excel- by Nursery 0-2 yrs
The Swindon Training & Recruit- lent report after an Ofsted inspec- Prior Park Prep School
ment Childcare Helpline receives tion in February. years
regular calls from people looking It says the pre-school 'provides a
Holiday School
for a change from their rat race happy and secure learning envi-
commuting jobs. Often people say ronment.' Children make good Flexible fees
they want to put something back progress towards the early learn- From £2.50 per hour
into the community. Unfortu- ing goals and the staff's positive
nately, as soon as pay is mentioned, approach to teaching has a good Nursery Grant
the necessity to pay mortgages out- influence on children's learning; )pen 7.SOam-6.0opm
weighs their moral dilemma. 'the teaching is effective.'
I do not want this to be solely a Supervisor Lynne Burch was
negative article but a realistic one delighted with the report. "It's Meadc wpar School
that raises an issue that has to be thrilling that the hard work the
addressed now. Childcare and staff put in is rewarded. It shows
education has progressed a long that our children have an excellent
way over the past five years. But pre-school experience. Meadowpark ♦ Meadowpark is a well established thriving
school with faultless DfEE and OFSTED
until more respect and recognition Kiln Park takes children from Nursery and reports across the 0-7 years age range
are given to people who work with the age of two years. For details re-Prep School
children, recruitment will always call 877299. Calcutt Street ♦ Conveniently located for Swindon and
be an uphill struggle. Cricklade the surrounding area in a pleasant rural
Mural artist wanted Nindon SN6 6B6 environment in the grounds of Prior Park
• To find out more about childcare The Kiln Park pre-school build- Contact Prep School
work, call 0845 6012392. ing continues to be afflicted by 1rs S Hanbury or .' ♦ Come and see why past and present
• For information on adopting a graffiti and the management com- Mrs R Kular parents believe we are unique
work/life balance culture in your mittee is looking for an artist to
company, call Trio Childcare on decorate it. If you can help, call Tel: 01 793 A Registrations being accepted for 2002.
Certain places available for 2001
514422. the number above. 752600