This centre started out as a playgroup more than 20 years ago, offering the chance for children and their parents to meet and play together three mornings a week. It remains a voluntary organisation, but has changed over the years into the daycare part of a designated children's centre. It is based on the Abingdon school site, working closely with the statutory services through the Sure Start local programme.
Its original aim, to enable children from all cultural and religious backgrounds to come together equally, learning through play and helping to promote tolerance and understanding of each others' backgrounds, is as strong today as it was 20 years ago. The children and families have ethnic origins as far apart as Britain, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and the Caribbean. The staff also reflect multi-racial backgrounds.
Since reopening as a day nursery in April this year, our numbers are gradually climbing as word of mouth brings new families to us.
The families use our service for many different reasons. One mother brought her child to us while she hunted for a job. She has just got full-time work and said it wouldn't have happened without our support. She can go to work happy in the knowledge her child will be well cared for and settled with people he knows.
* Clare Smith, manager, East West Children's Centre, Middlesbrough
