Jackie Colby, play development worker for the Teignbridge Play Network, which covers south Devon and parts of Dartmoor, said that the association decided to produce the pack at its monthly meeting. Those present started talking about the various out-of-school clubs and playschemes in the area which were currently not viable because children were unable to attend them under restrictions imposed because of the foot and mouth epidemic.
Ms Colby said, 'We started thinking about the children stuck on those farms, who have been there for weeks and weeks not seeing anyone other than family members. So we phoned around a few farmers and they said, "We're so depressed and so upset, the last thing we are thinking about is what we do with our kids". So we decided to put the pack together.'
Devon Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership provided funding and the Teignbridge Play Network came up with a pack which is suitable for all those under 14, with some activities specifically aimed at pre-schoolers. It includes tissue craft and collage activities and four or five pages of things to make, including how to make 'clay' from bread, recipes for 'slime' and 'gloop' involving cornflour and glue, and tips on how to make masks from cereal packets.
'The idea is that these are things you might have in the cupboard even if you haven't been able to get to the shops,' Ms Colby said.
There are also brain teasers and puzzles and sheets of origami. Paper Fun, a craft store in Saltash, Devon, has sponsored the initiative and has provided a creative art pack with tissue, pompoms and other materials to ensure that all children have some materials to start with.
Ms Colby said she expected to have sent out 50 to 100 packs by the end of last week. 'I'm very encouraged that so many people have said that it's a brilliant idea,' she said.
Many out-of-school activities and some schools in the area have shut down. Ms Colby said that in some cases, even where schools have re-opened parents are not willing to let their children return because they are so scared of the risk of infection.
Jackie Colby can be contacted on 01626 832866.
* The Inland Revenue last week announced that it will not claim interest on tax debts if businesses, including nurseries, are facing extreme hardship as a result of the foot and mouth disease crisis.
A spokesman said that UK-wide Inland Revenue offices have been given the power to exercise discretion, so it is important for businesses to get in touch with their local offices to discuss their circumstances.
