Objectives Blenheim Primary School in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex is one ofthree Full Service Extended Schools in the Borough of Southend. Theschool already runs a Parent and Toddler group but wanted to do more tosupport the provision of quality childcare either directly or throughsign-posting. The first step was to find out what local provision wasavailable. "We wanted to know more about the local provision so we couldidentify where there were gaps that we may have to fill, eitherindependently or jointly with our partners," says Caroline Reynolds,extended school development manager.
The issues The school started talking to local childminders anddiscovered that what they needed most were meeting places - safe, childfriendly and affordable locations. From its own consultation, the schoolknew that parents also wanted to have drop-in facilities where theirchildren could meet other children to play and they could meet otherparents. The school then met Childminder Network development manager JoHouston and discussed the idea of a regular drop-in session at theschool, which would open up facilities to be used without charge.
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