Page 19 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • June 2010 19
Special volunteers for special tots learning through

Volunteers at Special Tots, a group supporting children with special story, drama and play
needs, have been recognised as special people by the staff they work with. Baby Story Play 6 mths - 2 yrs • Massage for Mums and Dads
Interactive storytelling and imaginative play • Maternity reflexology, Shiatsu and Thai massage
encourage you to communicate and create • Doula birth coaching with Rebecca Bates
with your little one. Be inspired by a new story • Acupressure, aromatherapy massage
each week! for active birth tuition
Early Years Drama 2 - 7 yrs • Blessingway parties and belly art
Delight in your child’s love of story as we fire gift packages
their imagination, boost their confidence and
build their language, listening and social skills • Baby massage at Lower Show Farm
through dramatic play. • Specialised holistic treatments for
FREE TRIAL CLASS pregnancy, birth and beyond
Contact Jenni Saunders on 01793 325785 Contact Gayle:
[email protected]
www.debutots.co.uk 01793 723125 or
07825 683440
Nurturing your Inner Smile
Swindon · Malmesbury · Chippenham · Calne
www.innersmilemassage.co.uk

LittLe Foxes ChiLdCare
& eduCation
Holding the Swindon Council nomination, from left to right. Back, Stephanie
Hathaway, manager Koalas, Karen Foye, Liz Angus, Sally Tewkesbury, Sharon For children and their parents
Hooper, Lucy Hudson, Carol Collins. Front, Elaine Harvey, Sandra Moore, Angela Established 1986
Fry, Yvonne Nye. Not pictured, Brenda Calvary the common, Brinkworth, Wilts
tel: 01666 510356
Although they didn’t win the wouldn’t be able to offer the level
Team Volunteer category in Swin- of service appreciated by the twenty Just a 15 minute drive from West Swindon & Priory Vale on B4042
don Council’s recent excellence five families that access our service l An independent family run nursery offering quality care and education

within a safe, secure, stimulating environment for all babies and children
awards, the nomination was an each week.” from 0-5 and an out of school club for children aged 5-11 years
acknowledgment of the volunteers’ Carol Collins, a volunteer for 26 l Open: Monday to Friday, 7.30am-6.30pm, 51 weeks of the year
commitment. years, said, “when I first joined,
Nine volunteers help at Special volunteers were asked to play with l Full, part time and term time places. Government funding for 3-5 year olds
Tots, based at Salt Way Centre in children and chat with parents. l High staff to child ratios with qualified and experienced teaching staff and
Middleleaze, working with indi- Over the years we’ve become more nursery nurses
vidual children and their parents, and more involved with the chil- l Nutritious 3 course meals, hydro pool, multi sensory room, school hall with
under the guidance of special needs dren to help them achieve learning gym apparatus, secure gardens, mini bus for trips out and about
teacher Karen Foye. goals in the early years foundation
Karen said, “without their dedi- stage curriculum.”
cation and continued support we Liz Angus, a parent of a child with
autism who used to attend Special
Win a ticket to Tots, is now a volunteer herself.
see Noddy at “Parents like coming to Special Tots
the Wyvern. because they feel safe and secure,
they’re not judged because of their
See details child’s behaviour. It’s a very under-
and enter at standing environment.”
Special Tots, which started as a
toy library almost 30 years ago, is
Playgroup places on offer part of Swindon Portage, a home
teaching service provided by Swin-
A playgroup rated by OFSTED as don Council for early years children
outstanding has places for three with significant additional needs.
and four year olds from September. Special Tots works closely with
Greendown Playgroup, located in Portage teachers, Koalas special
a secure setting within the school, opportunities playgroup and other
provides a friendly and welcoming professional services based at Salt
environment. It is very well equipped Way Centre, a former primary
and provides plenty of opportunity school now used by a wide range
for outdoor play of Swindon Council services and
To arrange a visit call playgroup Swindon PCT for children with
manager Julie Steward on 882234. complex needs. Previously the
services were scattered across
Toddler groups town; now in one place parents and
with places children receive a more effective
service and the professional time
Playmates in Freshbrook Com- is used more efficiently.
munity Centre welcomes parents, Liz added, “the service has made
carers and children on Thursdays an enormous difference to my
9.30am to 11.30am. With a large child’s future and for us as a fam-
hall available, there is lots of space ily. Navigating the special needs
to use ride on toys. process can be a complex maze for
Sunny Smiles baby and toddler parents and having access to pro-
group in Peatmoor hopes to start on fessionals in one centre, alongside
Tuesday mornings. To express inter- Koala’s opportunity group, and
est call Jo Reid on 07830 132942. Special Tots, is very helpful.”

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