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In an underprivileged village with growing poverty since the pandemic, Smallville has noticed an increase in families in hardship, with children not being taken on days out and trips as would have been the case just a few years ago.
Through chatting to parents who were often struggling to pay for their fees, it was clear that the extracurricular opportunities that would have historically been provided by families were no longer possible for many and the impact on children’s development was hugely evident. Parents were, in some cases, in tears talking about how they had to prioritise living costs over fun times with their children, and one even missed nursery because of petrol costs.
In response, Smallville launched the Beyond the Classroom events to bring all families together a few times a year at weekends, with the aim of allowing families to develop peer support and an understanding of how accessible the local, free community resources are, while participating in fun learning.
Smallville also linked with the council to access its fields on scheduled weekends to run free outdoor events with local services such as petting zoos, science days, Easter egg hunts and sports days for its children and families. The events start with an education element aimed at the parents as well as the children that encourages them to work jointly and closes with drinks and snacks to ensure everyone leaves happy and full. Staff choose to volunteer their time for free for these events, knowing how much families gain from them.
Some parents have commented that their children ask when the next Outside Play or Weekend Nursery is and are excited to attend again. The Monday-morning-attending children, who often had little to bring to Talking Time, now volunteer information about their weekend after one of the events. Staff can see they are growing in confidence around their peers and having a much improved knowledge of the wider world.
As for parents, one has said she has lived in the village all her life and didn’t even know one of the lakes existed. Now she has an abundance of ideas for no-cost entertainment. One single parent had authorities involved and there were concerns that her two children were never taken outdoors and only socialised at nursery. From these events, the mum has thanked Smallville endlessly, saying she didn’t feel confident previously to leave the flat with the children.
Other parents have since developed friendships with each other and now share pick-ups and babysitting to help with the daily demands of parenting – not only a cost saving but also an essential wellbeing element of family life.
The nursery has funded these events because of the benefits seen to children’s development and the family unit as a whole. They bring families together for fun and peer support, leading to a real community approach to their needs.
FINALISTS
50 Things to Do Before You’re Five, St Edmund’s Nursery School and Children’s Centre – Bradford, West Yorkshire
Atelier Nursery – Bath, Somerset and Chippenham, Wiltshire
Finkley Weeke Nursery and Pre-School – Winchester, Hampshire
Nottingham Hub, National Literacy Trust – Nottingham
CRITERION
Open to settings, services or projects that support parents, enhance their understanding of their children’s learning and development, or improve children’s outcomes through involvement and co-operation with families. Services can include digital and online software used by early years settings.
