Go try a one o' clock club (Childcare in general)

Member Name: Havinalaff

Product:	Childcare in general
Date:	27/09/01 (1262 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Helps prepare the child for school, Learns through play, Make friends

Disadvantages: depends on availabilty

If you have children under the age of 5 then a one o’ clock club might be the place for you. The “clubs” are situated in various parks and are run by the local council and best of all they are free (although some may charge a small fee). The club is decorated inside with all the children’s work and throughout the year different festivals are celebrated to honour our diverse culture.

The inside of the club is set up like a nursery with a vast selection of toys covering all levels of development. There is sand, water and painting to choose from and everyday there is a special activity where the children make things. There is also a home corner where the children explore the world of make believe and dress up from the selection of fancy dress clothes. In the corner of the room is a quiet area where the children can sit down and read a book or have someone read them a story, some might even like to have a nap. The outside area is fenced off so that it is free from dog’s mess and unwanted visitors and it has a large selection of slides, bikes, and other play equipment

The one o’ clock club is managed by two staff (sometimes more) employed by the council to run the club, but they do not look after the children, this must be the parents or carers responsibility. At a certain time you can get a cup of tea or coffee for 25p-30p,and soft drinks 10p and biscuits 3p for the little ones. There is also toilets and a
Nappy changing area with use of a microwave for heating up bottles or food and the staff will bend over backwards to meet your needs.

I have described the physical aspects of a one o’ clock club but not the emotional side, for many parents/carers bringing up children, especially in built up areas these places are a life line. Imagine living on your own in a high rise flat, bringing up three kids without a garden and nowhere safe to play, or moving to an area with a new born baby not speaking
to anyone day after day. It would soon get to you wouldn’t it? Here at the one o clock club everyone with an under five is welcome, new members are introduced to others and information on the club is given. The children treat the club like a second home and it gives the adults the opportunity to share ideas or problems with other parents. I think the one o’ clock clubs are wonderful and have successfully prepared my children for school by teaching them to be sociable and caring towards others, lets hope they keep these qualities in adult life.

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