Page 15 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • February 2004 15
Playgroup plans auction spectacular plihti
Greendown Playgroup in Grange Park had such a massive success
with a fundraising auction last year that they are planning another for ^usiciults Children's
Saturday 7 February, 7.30pm - 11.00pm, in the Winners Bar at Swin- Information Service
don Town Football Club. Fun song sessions
A one-stop shop for
Some 300 people raised over Tracy on 873179 or Lisa on 320444. for parents and children FREE information'
£2,500 for the group and organis- Tickets for the raffle are also avail- 6 months to 5 years ^,^NFORMq Tr0
ers hope for more participation and able from the above numbers.
a larger total. The playgroup which operates Classes on Tuesday,
In addition to the auction is a from their own building at Thursday & Friday in V i n
raffle, disco, tombola and face Greendown School is now open North Swindon Library SWINDON
painting and much more. Tickets on Tuesday and Thursday after- Why not pop in and see us?
cost £4 adults, £2 children or £10 noons, in addition to every morn- Come along and join in 1 3 Market St, Swindon
Tel: 01793 541786
for a family ticket (2 adults and up ing. There is currently a waiting the fun!
Email: [email protected]
to 3 children) and are available list for places, but to discuss avail- Call 01793 727286 or www.cisswindon.co.uk
y
from the playgroup on 882234, or abilit call 887203.
email: [email protected]
for details
Childminders meet the
challenges of Ofsted Headstarts Day-Nursery School
Debbie Kearns reports on how childminders . Established 1990
are delivering high quality child care.
Delta Business Park. Westlea. West Swindon
It was on one of the wettest and Alison John was a truly inspira- lieadstarts is a friendly, 'family nursery offering a warn,
windiest days at the end of last tional speaker who related her per- happy and relaxed environment where ever child benefits
y
year that over 70 childminders sonal experience of living in what from individual attention.
gave up a Saturday to attend the she calls a 'disabling world.' As an Conveniently located within afew minutes drive from M4
second Swindon Childminding experienced Disability Equality Junction 16, Town Centre, Westlea and Abbey Meads.
Convention at New College. Trainer she powerfully reminded
Childminders take training se- us that it is society that disables U Monday - Friday 8am till 6pm all year
riously, often at their own expense people and that with thought and J Sessions for 0 - 5 year olds - am, pm. school day, all day. r
and in their own time. They do it planning, access could be avail- J Real value for money. From £122 per week full time
q Funded child-care credits available."
because it helps with their con- able to all. Alison told an enthralled q Government Funded Nursery Sessions" Claim up to
tinuing professional development audience that children need to have £37 worth of Nursery Credits per child per week.
and contributes to meeting the their questions answered openly
stringent childminding standards and honestly. For further information or to arrange a visit,
that are regulated by Ofsted. She said, "children don't need please call Alison on 877779. 'cond iuonsappy Ratesmayvary
-------J
The standards cover many as- to hear that people who are wheel- E- --------- —
pects including how many chil- chair users, their legs don't work
dren childminders can care for at properly - just that some people
any time. Ofsted inspectors look at move around differently."
nursery and pre-prep school
how childminders manage chil- At times the hall rang with MEADOWPARK
dren's behaviour and the proce- laughter, sometimes the audience
dures in place to ensure child pro- were moved to tears. But the key
tection. These include police checks message came through that every- Pre-Prep School
4 - 7 years
on the childminder and also for one should be valued and has
anyone over the age of sixteen who something to contribute. Nursery School
2-4years
lives in the home. Most impor- Childminders also took part in
tantly Ofsted also look at how a workshops focusing on disability Baby Nursery
0-2 years
childminder provides for a child's awareness, working with children
social and emotional development, with disabilities and learning multi Prior Park Prep School '
7 - 13 years
so crucial in the early years. - cultural stories and songs.
With the Ofsted standards in Those who attended left buzz- Holiday School
mind the convention was organ- ing with ideas and full of commit- Flexible fees ^, ' -
ised by Trio Childcare Connections ment to childminding.
From £2.50 per hour
and the Swindon Childminding If you are interested in becom-
Support Team. The day was subsi- ing a childminder then ring the Nursery Grant
dised by the Swindon Early Years Children's Information Service on Open 7.50am-6pm
Development and Childcare Part- 541793.
nership. The theme Trio focused If you are a childminder and
on was Every Child is Different to would like to contact your local
give childminders the opportunity support worker, call the Trio
to explore ways of recognising dif- Childcare Connections office on
Individual Care — Individual Learning
ferences and celebrating diversity. 514422.
Meadowpark A Meadowpark is a well established thriving
Nursery and school with faultless DfEE and OFSTED
Group thanks Pre-Prep School reports across the 0-7 years age range
Jellytots Playgroup, based at Brook Field School, Shaw, would like to Calcutt Street A Conveniently located for Swindon and
thank all the local companies who so kindly donated prizes for their Cricklade the surrounding area in a pleasant rural
Christmas raffle which helped raised over £200 which is being spent Swindon SN6 6B8 environment in the grounds of Prior Park
on new equipment. Prep School
Contact
Those who donated prizes were: the De Vere Hotel; Swindon Innogy
Mrs S Hanbury or ♦ Come and see why past and present
Lynx Ice Hockey Team; HK 97 Chinese Takeaway; Westlea Fire Station; parents believe we are unique
Mrs R Kular
Goldsworthy's Hairdressers; Brookhouse Farm Pub; Blunsdon House
Hotel and Leisure Club; Cotswold Wildlife Park; Clear Channel (Wyvern Tel: 01 793 A Registrations being accepted for 2005
752600
Certain places available for 2004
Theatre); Cricklade Hotel and Country Club; UCG Cinema; Sia.