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Rt Hon John Denham MP to open new neighbourhood nursery in Southampton

NEWS RELEASE

10 May 2004

Rt Hon John Denham MP to open new neighbourhood nursery in Southampton

When: Friday 21st May 2004 at 12.30-2.30pm
Where: Woodlands Neighbourhood Nursery, Woodlands Community School, Minstead Avenue, Harefield
What: New Neighbourhood Nursery Official Opening

Rt Hon John Dehnam MP will officially open the Pre-school Learning Alliance's Neighbourhood Nursery in Harefield, Southampton on 21st May.

Woodlands Neighbourhood Nursery, is the first Pre-school Learning Alliance nursery to open in Southampton. The nursery is designed to meet the needs of local parents in providing flexible, affordable, high quality daycare. Woodlands offers young children the chance to learn through play in a stimulating and nurturing environment. It also provides a facility for parents to get to know other people and to drop in for advice and social opportunities.

The nursery is situated within the Woodlands Community School, which is in one of the 30 per cent most deprived wards in England. It is an area of severe economic and social need. The new neighbourhood nursery will provide a safe, and friendly place for parents to meet with their children.

Rt Hon John Denham MP, said:

"Improving the provision for under-fives is tremendously important for them and can make a real difference when they start school. The support to be offered will help their families as well. I am very pleased that this nursery is to open at Woodlands."

Woodlands offers full daycare five days a week. The setting provides a home from home for children between six weeks old and school age and the children have somewhere to play, learn and succeed.

Sarah Guard, Nursery Centre Manager said:

"It is very exciting for us to be the first neighbourhood nursery in Southampton. This enables us to offer the whole package of early education, childcare and family support to the community of Harefield."

Ros Probyn, Regional Executive Officer, South East Region commented:

"What an achievement this nursery is. Woodlands Nursery will offer quality childcare and educational provision for the children and families in Harefield. It is envisaged that by being based in a community school facility, there will be many opportunities for adult and family learning to take place in a friendly environment. We look forward to continuing our work with help from the school and the local Pre-school Learning Alliance branch sub-committee."

Woodlands Nursery embodies the ethos of parental involvement, which is a key part of the Pre-school Learning Alliance Campaign, changing lives changing life.

The Campaign is seeking, via its Charter for Parents and the Early Years, to obtain a childcare or nursery place for every child that needs one. The Campaign is also calling for the involvement and full consultation of parents in their child's early education; continuity of care for children; and a commitment to ensure a better deal for the voluntary sector as a major contributor to universal childcare.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Ros Probyn
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 01732 363070
Out of hours press calls:
E: Ros Probyn

Notes for Editors:

  1. The opening of the Woodlands Neighbouhood Nursery will take place at the Woodlands Community School, Minstead Avenue, Harefield, Southampton, SO18 5FW.
  2. For further details and a leaflet on the Pre-school Learning Alliance NNI project in Southampton please contact Ros Probyn, Regional Executive Officer on 01732 363070. Further details about the nursery are available from Sarah Guard on 023 8047 4918.
  3. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is establishing a network of over 25 Neighbourhood Nurseries nationwide. Our involvement in the Neighbourhood Nursery Initiative ensures that children and families have early years provision where it is needed most.
  4. The Pre-school Learning Alliance links 15,000 pre-schools and 500,000 young children and their families in England. Registered as an educational charity, the Alliance is the national dimension of the pre-school movement. For further information about the charity and changing lives changing life Campaign, please contact the National Centre on 020 7833 0991 or visit the website on: www.pre-school.org.uk
  5. Pre-school Learning Alliance members receive a regular magazine (Under Five) reflecting issues affecting the early years sector. If you would like to receive a copy of this please call 020 7833 0991.
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