Page 18 - link magazine

18 swindonlink.com • Sepember 2008

LittLe Foxes ChiLdCare Handy way to communicate with babies
Babies as young as six months can learn to let their parents know what’s
& eduCation on their mind using a simple system of sign language.
For children and their parents At Sing and Sign classes, parents as a way of promoting understand-
Established 1986 and children learn together by ing in all families, and signing can
the common, Brinkworth, Wilts singing accompanied by actions. help children whose language is
tel: 01666 510356 The songs, brought to life with delayed.
Just a 15 minute drive from West Swindon & Priory Vale on B4042 puppets, props and pictures, cover “Amy fell in love with signing,”
l An independent family run nursery offering quality care and education familiar activities such as meals, said Tracey. “She could tell us if she
within a safe, secure, stimulating environment for all babies and children bath time and going to the park was hungry, tired or thirsty which
from 0-5 and an out of school club for children aged 5-11 years and babies quickly learn a range took away the frustration of making
l Open: Monday to Friday, 7.30am-6.30pm, 51 weeks of the year of useful words. herself understood.
l Full, part time and term time places. Government funding for 3-5 year olds Class teacher Tracey Richards “Research shows that signing
l High staff to child ratios with qualified and experienced teaching staff and began using Sing and Sign with babies talk earlier, have a wider
nursery nurses her daughter who at 20 months is vocabulary and a better under-
l Nutritious 3 course meals, hydro pool, multi sensory room, school hall with a confident signer and little chat- standing of grammar.”
gym apparatus, secure gardens, mini bus for trips out and about terbox. Each course runs for 11 weeks
As there were no classes in the on Thursdays at Peatmoor Pri-
area, Tracey bought a DVD and mary School and St Francis Primary
was very impressed. Sing and Sign School, Taw Hill. To book a course,
was developed by language experts starting on 11 September, call Tracey
to encourage the development of on 0776 5000345.
speech. Sure Start recommends it www.singandsign.co.uk

Close to M4 junction 16, just a short drive from West Swindon Nutkinz numbers knocked by
For children 3 months to five years government policy and council rent
Open all year from 8am to 6pm First lunchtime group launched in fight for survival
Extensive outdoor play & garden Nutkinz Parent & Toddler Group is 20 years old, but instead of celebrat-
Grant places available ing the remarkable achievement by West Swindon parents, the group
which meets at Upper Shaw Farm social hall is under threat.
For information call: 01793 851495
The group has always been
www.thedaynursery.com run by volunteers but since the
Salt Way Children’s Centre in
Brinkworth Road, Wootton Bassett, Swindon SN4 8DS
Middleleaze opened in 2007, the
group has seen a dramatic fall in
numbers as parents have chosen
to attend the centre which is
run by the Church of England
Children’s Society.
Chair of Nutkinz Dawn
Higham said the group is unable
to compete on price as Salt Way
receives central government
funding through the Sure Start
programme. Coordinators Dawn Higham and Zoe John
Swindon Council owns and with children at the Nutkins holiday club
runs the Salt Way Centre, estab- other local providers, to help and
lished after they closed the primary support families within our com-
school in 2006. It also owns Upper munity. We are not here in any way
Shaw Farm. Whilst the Salt Way to replace existing provision.
Children’s Centre charge 50p a fam- “We have consulted with our
ily to attend a group, Nutkinz have families who use our services
to charge £1.50 per child to cover throughout the development of Salt
overheads including the council’s Way Children’s Centre.
high hall rental charge. “I would welcome the oppor-
The inconsistency is made worse tunity to talk with representatives
at primary schools with community of Nutkinz Toddler group to offer
facilities. At Peatmoor Primary, less our help and support in any way
than a mile away, pre-school groups we can.”
can meet without charge.
“At one time Nutkinz would have New lunchtime play
50 children at a session,” said Dawn. Nutkinz has relaunched its Tues-
“We’ve asked the council about rent day session at a new time: 12noon
concessions without success. We to 3pm. (Bring your own lunch)
feel that our group is being disad- It continues to meet on Friday,
vantaged at every turn. ” 9.30am to 11.30am.
However, Kay Kane, manager of Nutkinz offers structured ses-
the Salt Way Children’s Centre said, sions for children and parents or
“I am sorry to hear of the financial carers, which include activities, a
problems Nutkinzs Toddler Group snack, story and song time.
are experiencing. As a Children’s To join Nutkinz call Zoe John on
Centre our agenda is very clear re- 07919 484786 or drop in at Upper
Shaw Farm, Ridge Green.
garding partnership working with

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