The children were invited to a special birthday party for its special anniversary, and staff from the University and Local Solutions, who have been involved from the very beginning in establishing and running the Children’s Centre, went along to mark this very special event.
Sue Spencer, Head of Student Services in Student Administration and Support, said: “With the building of the nursery we could provide places for 68 pre-school children and also operate a play scheme during school holidays.”
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor John Belchem said: “The partnership with Local Solutions is an excellent example of a successful collaboration between the University and the local community. We are grateful to Local Solutions for managing the Children’s Centre for the University.
“This is also a good opportunity to say thank you to Jean Graham, who manages the Centre and also to the Local Solutions Head Office Team. We know from comments made by parents and carers how valuable the Children’s Centre is to them and what a happy place it is.”
Pamela Bell-Ashe, who back in 1999 was Senior Assistant Registrar (Student Services), was in charge of the project which cost £800,000 to build. She returned to the nursery to see how 10 years on the children are still enjoying the nursery.
She said: “The sight of the children playing happily is proof that all the hard work at the beginning to get this built was worthwhile. I was so pleased to be invited back to celebrate this milestone.”
Malcolm Pearson (Local Solutions), Anita Dunn (former nursery Manager), Stephen Hawkins, (Chief Executive of Local Solutions), Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Belchem, Jean Graham, Children’s Centre Manager, Pamela Bell-Ashe
The University first became involved in nursery provision with the establishment in 1969 of a Pre-School Playgroup in response to pressures from the Guild. It was housed in a temporary building, on the understanding that this would be limited to a five year term. It is a measure of the difficulties that beset those trying to replace it, that five years ultimately stretched to thirty.
In 1969 the Playgroup was open 40 weeks a year and was registered for up to 24 children at a cost of £7.70 a week for students and £13.20 for staff.
Visit:www.liv.ac.uk/sas/studentservices/childcare/index.htm or http://www.localsolutions.org.uk/