Looking at a recent issue of Nursery World, I felt somewhat envious when I came to the article showing a new 'purpose built' nursery within a children's centre. Why do I feel like this? Well, once again I set out to my sessional pre-school in a Victorian former school room and church hall. Before any other work I need to check on the levels of damp in the kitchen, and the leaky roof above the toilets.
Looking at a recent issue of Nursery World, I felt somewhat envious when I came to the article showing a new 'purpose built' nursery within a children's centre.
Why do I feel like this? Well, once again I set out to my sessional pre-school in a Victorian former school room and church hall. Before any other work I need to check on the levels of damp in the kitchen, and the leaky roof above the toilets.
Many other settings face the same scenario every day. We follow each new Government initiative on staffing or curriculum, but when is anyone going to make a stand for the physical surroundings of childcare settings, where the buildings are not in any way fit for the purpose?
Am I right in suspecting that many of these settings are in rural areas that seem to always miss out on the funding that gets diverted to inner cities?
* Sarah Robinson, manager, Swainbees Nursery, Swainby, North Yorkshire
