The Nursery

When the nursery workers ask the children about what they did at the weekend, there aren’t too many tales of feeding the ducks or going to the swimming pool. Here are just a few of the stories from ‘our’ children about what they do when they are not in the 999 Club nursery.

In the nursery the children are given the security and attention which is missing from their lives at home. The nursery is not one for working mums, it’s for parents who have problems of their own and who can use the time their children spend with us to address these problems. We have also, in the past year, taken referrals from social services, from foster carers and even from the courts.

We are registered for up to 10 children. The children come from families who are at risk. Some of the families are being moved out of the country because they are designated as illegal immigrants. Some of the children learn English while they are with us. We take children from the age of 2 until they are ready to go to school at 5. Very few children stay with us all throughout that period.

As may be imagined the wellbeing of the children is our very greatest priority and we have regular contact with the statutory authorities about the children for whom we are most worried. Some of the children benefit enormously by being with us since they come from chaotic families with parents who find it difficult to give them the nurturing they need. The children come on by leaps and bounds, speaking and language skills are improved, they become less aggressive and learn how to interact with other children and adults. We provide clothing for the children, through the generosity of our supporters.

The children are given a freshly cooked, hot meal everyday. They are taken to play in the park, they sing and dance, read books, paint and bake and have a lovely time.

friendship…help…advice.......

photos: Georgina Craig-Harvey