3rd February 2004
GOLDTHORPE - A CLOSE KNIT COMMUNITY

Goldthorpe Roundabout Childcare Centre last week opened for business, with 14 children aged from 3 months to 3 years being registered. The centre located in Goldthorpe, Barnsley has just been given Ofsted registration and is already over half full.

Centre Manager Cheryl Cooper said, “We are extremely happy with the high interest in child care for babies with many new enquiries, one as far as Scunthorpe. We hope that the interest continues as we feel that we have an excellent facility for babies and young children.”


Goldthorpe Roundabout Childcare Centre has been set up to address the lack of high quality childcare facilities for babies and toddlers, and will provide an affordable and flexible childcare facility for local people living in Goldthorpe, Bolton on Dearne, Thurnscoe and Highgate Partnership Area.

Local Community Sewing Group Xstitch, based at Wombwell Church have been busy knitting and sewing blankets to donate to the new centre. Xstitch’s Margaret Langford suggested that the group’s skills could be utilised to the benefit of the childcare centre and they have so far made eight blankets with more on the way.

The centre is a community enterprise owned and managed by Barnsley Dearne Community Partnership, which is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. Barnsley Development Agency’s Community Economic Regeneration Team (CERT) in partnership with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Key Fund have provided the funding for the centre. The partnership also owns Roundabout Dearne Childcare Centre which caters for children from 2 to 12 years.

If you are interested in registering you child in the Goldthorpe Childcare Centre please contact Centre Manager Cheryl Cooper on 01709 – 890500. Opening times for the centre are Monday to Friday from 7.00 am till 6.00 pm.


END

www.barnsleydevelopmentagency.co.uk

Press Contact: Sarah Hopwood
Marketing & Communications Assistant
Barnsley Development Agency
Telephone: 01226 640 086
Facsimile: 01226 286 606
Email: shopwood@barnsleydevelopmentagency.co.uk

Notes to editors
History of Roundabout
The CERT team at Barnsley Development Agency (BDA) worked together with a local Community Partnership to develop a successful ‘community childcare model’, which was launched In Bolton on Dearne in April 2000. The establishment of this Community Enterprise addressed the following issues in order to overcome the shortage of childcare places in the area. Lack of full day-care and out-of-school childcare provision Lack of respite care for parents in the area Barriers to accessing employment through lack of childcare facilities

Consultation with the community and the formation of a steering group made up of representatives of the community, partnership management group and statutory agencies played a pivotal role in the success of this community venture.

A building was identified, which belonged to the Local Authority that had previously been used as a library. Money was secured for professional fees to engage an architect to draw plans, which were then submitted for approval. At the same time, funding applications for the proposed refurbishment of the site were submitted to a number of funding bodies. Once money was secured, building works commenced and recruitment for staff began. Local people became involved, offering their services in a number of ways. A local artist agreed to design and paint a number of attractive murals on various walls, which not only enhanced the overall appearance but established various themes in specific areas. It became apparent in a short period of time that there was indeed a huge shortage of affordable childcare. Parents and carers of children attending the centre were asked to complete a survey, which concluded that 71% had been able to return to training or work because of the flexible service that was being provided.

An OFSTED Inspection was carried out in 2001 and the outcome of that was extremely positive, emphasising the excellent relationship between staff and parents and carers of children attending the centre. The centre teaches the Foundation Stage Curriculum to ensure that individual children are developing new skills and are making progress in line with the Curriculum. Our Early years practitioners work with children to teach and monitor their individual developments in each learning area of the curriculum. Each child has a ‘Key Worker’ who is responsible for a child’s development and care during their day at nursery. Parents and Carers are provide feedback about their child’s day when they collect their child.

Parents and Carers receive termly Newsletters and regular ‘Parent and Carers’ evenings are held to give opportunity for Carers to update on Nursery Issues and to discuss their child’s development.
Staff feel that the development of each individual child is of vital importance, allowing them to reach their full potential. It is down to active commitment and participation of staff parents and carers together, which makes such achievement possible.

This success of this partnership approach is overcoming a barrier to employment has been received positively both locally and nationally, generating interest from a number of agencies throughout England. It has proved that communities can deliver their own services in a professional and proficient way, returning wealth to the community

Their continued success and expansion is down to hard work from staff and volunteers from the community partnership along with ongoing support from Barnsley Development Agency.



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