Published at 11:09, Thursday, 29 September 2011

COCKERMOUTH’S Mary Platt Pre-School is one of the longest-running centres in West Cumbria, having been set up in 1963.

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It has cared for children in the Cockermouth area and its surrounding villages since it was first established as a play group. But this is no ordinary pre-school – it is one that is very much parent-led.

The pre-school’s parents management committee, which meets on a weekly basis, has taken the centre forward over the last year. Its weekly meetings are used as a chance for parents to catch up on their children’s development and progress in a hands-on approach to learning.

Running during term time, the pre-school has 39 children under the supervision of its team. It has 44 places available in total and it is this personal aspect to care that has made it a popular choice with parents.

With a team of five assistants, children, aged between two and four are given individual tailored care, according to parents committee member Julie Brewster.

“It is the care of the staff here that sets us apart from other pre-schools in the area,” she said. “My own children have been to this centre – I didn’t have any family living close by so I wanted to my children to socialise with others.

“What is important here is that each child has an assigned key worker who closely monitors them throughout their time here, building up a bond with that child and having the means to observe them.”

Mary Platt Pre-School’s recent Ofsted said that the staff have a thorough understanding of each child’s individual needs. Julie added that the team are very aware of each child’s circumstances and tailor their care accordingly.

“We have children who come to the centre who have special needs – they all get individual treatment,” she said. “All of the activities are child-led, whether that’s through play or learning. And there are regular themes running through the activities during the term.”

The centre, which is based next door to Lorton Street Methodist Church, has areas for children to play and spend time including the quiet corner used for reading.

Jackie Wilkinson, pre-school manager who has worked there for 10 years, said: “We have a good routine planned for each day including play sessions, singing and learning. We follow the early years foundation stage framework which is tailored to the children’s developmental requirements.

“They are focussed on four major areas, personal, social and emotional; communication, language and literacy; problem-solving, reasoning and numeracy; and knowledge and understanding.

“The youngsters are encouraged to play outside as often as possible and we are fortunate to have a large outdoor learning area and garden patch which the children love using.

“But everything we offer here at the pre-school is flexible whether that be the learning techniques or the hours that parents leave their children.”

The school’s leaders and assistants are all NVQ level three qualified and also undertake regular update training.

Jackie added that even trainees undertaking placements at the centre have ended up staying and working there for years.

“This pre-school has been at the centre of a community for years and its success is down to the fact that parents feel safe and know that we have their children’s best interests at heart,” she said

“We have always been extremely open with parents so much so that the parents management committee was formed.

“Mary Platt Pre-School makes it feasible for people and the small session numbers of around 19 children is a reassuring factor for parents.

“At the end of the day this is the most important start in a child’s life.”

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk