Pre-school needs volunteer helpers

Posted on February 8, 2007

A local pre-school has recently received a glowing report following an Ofsted inspection.

The positive findings if the inspectors included the fact that the 'children feel safe and secure in a welcoming environment' and that 'staff have created a happy atmosphere which allows children to settle and gain the security and confidence to learn.'

The pre-school is now looking for volunteers from the local area to provide support to their staff and enhance the overall experience of the children.

The organisation has been in existence in Totternhoe for 25 years, but officially became a 'preschool' in 2003.

Spaces are still available at the pre-school, which runs Monday to Thursday during term time, from 9.15 to 11.45am. Children come from Totternhoe itself and further afield from Dunstable, Kensworth, Eaton Bray and Leighton Buzzard.

A committee-run charity, it employs four staff, who all hold an appropriate early years qualification. The report praised the staff, stating that the children "benefit greatly from a very calm, caring and extremely motivated staff team." In addition to the committee and staff, the organisation also receives support from a qualified teacher and the local authority.

Ofsted Inspectors were particularly impressed with how the children were encouraged to eat a healthy diet, with `Crunchy Monday', Crispy Tuesday and Fruity Thursday, encouraging parents to send their children in with crunchy raw vegetables, crispy crackers and crispbreads, and fresh fruit on different days of the week.

The report stated that the children "enjoy a broad variety of exciting play opportunities which helps them develop their knowledge and skills."

It is with these play activities that the pre-school are looking to involve volunteers from the local area, to assist the staff and help in a number of ways.

For further information contact Georgina or Rebecca at the Volunteer Centre on (01525) 850559 or email [email protected].

To enquire about the spaces that are available for children at the pre-school, contact Kay Sweetman on 07803 925254.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 6 February 2007