Community celebrates pre-school's birthday

Nursery nurse Jenny Watson has been involved with the Lydiard Millicent Pre-school group since it was founded 20 years ago, first as a parent, then committee member and now as a helper.

The group was started by Kate Bath and Carol McCurrach because there was no such facility in the area and it started off with 12 children.

In the past Mrs Watson said parents had even been forced to go as far as Minety for childcare.

Now with another local provider closed down last year, the nearest alternative pre-school group is three miles away.

However, it was a struggle to raise funds despite Government grants and even now a lot of the funding comes from local events.

Mrs Watson said: “We didn’t have anything and we had to fundraise for the toys and equipment we wanted. We were reliant on donations, but people have always been supportive.”

At first the pre-school group used the village hall but has now moved into the local primary school building, which Mrs Watson said was ideal because it gave a smooth transition between the two stages.

“Our children go straight from our pre-school into nursery school so they get to meet the teacher who they’ll be moving on to,” she said.

Supervisor Caroline McKellar said: “It offers a really good transition to school.”

The group currently cares for around 18 children aged three to school age, five mornings a week.

However, there are plans to extend the service from January by providing for children from the age of two, and opening for longer from 9am till 2.45pm, three days a week.

Mrs Watson’s son Chris, 20, was one of the first children to benefit when the pre-school opened and has lived in the village all his life. He helps out when he can and remembers being taken there by his mum.

He said: “I think it’s good for all the locals because it’s nice that parents have somewhere to bring their children. It’s part of the community.”

For more information on the pre-school group call 01793 772981.