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19th March 2001
COMMUNITY CHILDCARE ENTERPRISE LANDS IN WOMBWELL
Wombwell Community Childcare Centre has been working closely with Barnsley Development Agency's Community Economic Regeneration Team (CERT) to provide a comprehensive, affordable community childcare service in the area, and their combined efforts come to fruition on Wednesday 21 March when an innovative childcare facility 'lands' in Newsome Avenue.
John Penney, chief executive of Barnsley Development Agency (BDA), and children from nearby Highfields Junior School will be on hand to welcome in the pre-fabricated building 'bays' at 12.00pm as they arrive on a lorry before being hoisted into position by a giant crane. The ready-made building 'bays' are arriving in several sections and will take five weeks to kit-out and decorate.
John Penney said: "Today is a truly momentous occasion for parents in the surrounding community who will soon have a safe, affordable, and accessible childcare facility for the first time. The creation of this new facility for Wombwell Community Childcare is a fantastic achievement and one that all partners can be genuinely proud of. We believe it's a fine example of agencies working in partnership for the overall benefit of the community, and it fits in with national government strategy to create extra childcare facilities in the regions, particularly in deprived areas."
Once fully assembled, the completed building will measure approximately 21m long X 8.5m wide. During the five week construction period, the bays will be joined together and a roof attached. There will be car parking space for visitors, a children's play area, and several rooms inside to cater for the requirements of children and staff.
CERT, South Yorkshire Action Team, BMBC and the local community partnership have been working together for many months to develop this much needed childcare facility in Wombwell, and its arrival will ensure local residents can access affordable childcare, which has never been an option before. By removing what has historically been a massive barrier to employment opportunities, local parents will now be in a position to seek employment in the knowledge that they can safely leave their children at the centre.
The Community Childcare Enterprise is due for completion on 6 April, and will be able to offer a comprehensive range of childcare facilities, including breakfast club, care sessions, full day care and out of school club. Available at affordable prices, care will be available for children between the ages of 2 and 12 years.
Around 50% of the centre's places will be reserved for households on a low income in the Wombwell, Jump, Hemingfield, and Broomhill areas, and these parents will be able to qualify for childcare at extremely low rates.
Over 90 new childcare places will be created with the Wombwell Childcare Centre, along with seven full time equivalent jobs. This local project follows legislation on the National Childcare Strategy, which aims to improve childcare services for 0-14 years using the following themes: quality, affordability, diversity, accessibility and partnership. This project has proved that local partnerships can work, and it is hoped that it will develop into a sustainable yet affordable enterprise in the future.
For further information Wombwell Childcare Centre should contact Lynda Chapman at the BDA's CERT team on 01226 784444.
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Barnsley Development Agency
Beevor Court, Pontefract Road, Barnsley S71 1HG
Telephone: +44 (0)1226 784444
© 2001