Page 18 - link magazine

18 swindonlink.com • March 2009
Crèche co-op marks 20 years

When their grant funding was cut four years ago, Swindon Child Car-
ers were forced to reassess their business; still thriving, the workers
cooperative recently celebrated reaching its 20th anniversary and the
future as a co-op is bright.
The company was originally There are 22 members of the
founded to provide mobile crèches co-operative who are all involved
at training courses. It has expanded in major decisions. Five directors
to provide care for up to eight year manage day to day operations. Kate,
olds at weddings and corporate oc- a member for ten years, finds it a
casions. As long as event organisers rewarding way to work. “Everyone
can provide a suitable room, Swin- has a vested interest in the company
don Child Carers will bring all the because we all have a stake. We’re all
equipment and games to transform mothers and have a lot in common;
it into a stimulating play area. it’s a nice, friendly place to work,
“Things have been going really relaxed with no pressure.
well since we’ve been promoting “Madge Clements, who founded
ourselves in the private sector,” Swindon Child Carers, died a year
said director and chair Kate Barker. ago. It was a shock and scary for
Be the star that you are “The wedding crèches are really us; we had to take on such a lot of
at Drama Babes popular. The children have a lot responsibility. But I think she’d be
Voted No.1 in ‘The Times’ Top 5 for Kids of fun and parents can relax and proud of us.”
www.swindonchildcarers.co.uk
enjoy the day.”
(Published in The Independent & The Guardian)
Imagine ... flying through the sky on a magic
carpet ... diving under the sea or shooting Flat packed children’s centre takes shape
through the sky on your space rocket!
Where shall we go today? You decide! After two years of waiting, Moredon Children’s Centre was rebuilt in
under a week and should be ready to open its doors by Easter.

Independent local theatre practitioner
Classes in North & West Swindon and Cricklade
“This is the best thing I have brought any
of my children to in the last ten years”
Mum of Amelia, aged 2 and a half
lessoN
www.dramababes.co.uk Free Trial
Call Fiona on 07799 691328

Foundation stage for Kay White and Alison Barretts of Head Starts Nursery
Pinehurst Children’s Centre although the bad weather delayed
which was only two years old when tiling the roof.”
the site had to be cleared to make Kay, having moved her office
way for the Swindon Academy has five times in the past two years, is
been rebuilt off Montrose Close, looking forward to putting down
next to Moredon Primary School. roots. “It will be nice to unpack and
Centre manager, Kay White was to develop our activities.”
on site to see it arrive. “It was so ex- Once installed, Kay and her team
citing having planned for the centre plan to start a new tots’ exercise
for so long. I thought it would be a session, a second dads’ group and
modular building but it came flat cooking on a budget classes in addi-
packed and was put together like tion to the existing programme.
a Meccano set in only four days. Child care will be provided by
Luckily it was almost complete Headstarts Day Nursery.
before the heavy snow arrived For details call 615479.

LittLe Foxes ChiLdCare

& eduCation
For children and their parents
Established 1986
Close to M4 junction 16, just a short drive from West Swindon the common, Brinkworth, Wilts
tel: 01666 510356
For children 3 months to five years Just a 15 minute drive from West Swindon & Priory Vale on B4042
Open all year from 8am to 6pm l An independent family run nursery offering quality care and education
within a safe, secure, stimulating environment for all babies and children
Extensive outdoor play & garden from 0-5 and an out of school club for children aged 5-11 years
Grant places available l Open: Monday to Friday, 7.30am-6.30pm, 51 weeks of the year
l Full, part time and term time places. Government funding for 3-5 year olds
For information call: 01793 851495 l High staff to child ratios with qualified and experienced teaching staff and
nursery nurses
www.thedaynursery.com
l Nutritious 3 course meals, hydro pool, multi sensory room, school hall with
Brinkworth Road, Wootton Bassett, Swindon SN4 8DS gym apparatus, secure gardens, mini bus for trips out and about

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