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Children, families and teddy bears all join in the fun of Pre school Playweek

NEWS RELEASE

16 June 2006

Children, families and teddy bears all join in the fun of Pre school Playweek

17-24 June is Pre-school Playweek, the Pre-school Learning Alliance’s annual celebration of pre-schools and early years settings. Alliance members in voluntary and private early years settings all over the country will be holding enjoyable events to celebrate and raise awareness of local childcare provision.

During open days, parents and the local community will have the chance to find out about the early education and care on offer, have a look round the facilities and chat to staff and other parents. There will be lots of fun events for children and families too, including teddy bear picnics, to which MPs and local dignitaries are invited, as long as they bring their favourite teddy bear! Sponsored teddy bear toddles give the opportunity for active fun as well as raising funds.

As part of Playweek, the Alliance is holding an annual Conference, AGM and Exhibition on 23 June in London. Entitled What about me? Putting children at the heart of early years policy and practice, the conference aims to ensure that there is a focus on children’s needs and that the success of initiatives is judged by the positive difference they make to children’s lives. Other Alliance events during National Sure Start Month include a Parliamentary Reception focusing on supporting parents (14 June) and the Pre-school Learning Alliance Play Awards (15 June), in association with Fisher Price, celebrating best practice in learning through play.

Playweek is part of National Sure Start Month, the annual celebration of the work of the Sure Start initiative. Sure Start is a government initiative designed specifically to make life better for children, parents and communities by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support, especially in areas of deprivation. During June, across the country thousands of events will be held to celebrate the work of Sure Start and childcare providers, raising awareness of the support and services available to local families.

Steve Alexander, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance said:

"Playweek is a wonderful opportunity for children to have fun and it is a great way to join in with the national celebrations for National Sure Start Month. On a more serious note, Playweek also gives childcarers the chance to show the local community the work they do and the services they provide. It is vital that parents get to hear about all the high quality childcare available in their area, to help them make the best choices for their family."

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Anna Roberts
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2504
Out of hours press calls: 07802 827 678
E: Anna Roberts

Notes for Editors:

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance links 15,000 pre-schools and 800,000 young children and their families in England. Established in 1961 and registered as an educational charity, the Alliance is involved in more Sure Start projects than any other organisation and operates a number of Neighbourhood Nurseries. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: www.pre-school.org.uk
  2. National Sure Start Month runs from Thursday 1 June until Friday 30 June. Events and open days are being held across the country on the theme of Celebrating years and childcare. The month is co-ordinated by a consortium of major childcare and early years organisations including 4Children, NDNA, NCMA, and the Daycare Trust, led by the Pre-school Learning Alliance. Other partners include the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and Bookstart. For further information on the month please visit www.nationalsurestartmonth.com
  3. Information on local events can be found on the National Sure Start Month website well as by contacting regional branches of the Pre-school Learning Alliance
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