News

Oxford Mail, 8 November 2010: 40th anniversary celebrations

Long Wittenham Pre-School celebrated its 40^th anniversary over coffee and plenty of cake joined by past and present children, staff and committee on Friday 15^th October.

Started by Pat Lay in 1970, the new pre-school was initially regarded with suspicion by villagers as the expectation was that Mums looked after their children at home until school age. It was a small group of forward-thinking women in the village who wanted their children to be prepared and socialised for starting school who approached Pat, because of her previous teaching experience, to start a play group. Money raised through coffee mornings and jumble sales funded equipment and resources for the new play group, which originally ran for two mornings a week and cost half a crown (12½ p) per morning.

Pat says: “As now, in the 1970s it was about learning through play, but it was also very much a ‘make do and mend’ ethos for us. Our homemade children’s kitchen was a wooden box stove with cooker rings painted on; and our Wendy house was a clothes horse draped with sheets. But the children loved it.” Other activities included a sand tray, book corner and singing. There has always been a good relationship and strong link with Long Wittenham School and in the early days the pre-school children used the playground equipment daily.

Pat admits there were obstacles to overcome within the village, and the play group even moved to Pat’s house for a while to keep it running, but new houses built in Long Wittenham meant numbers grew. Now, 40 years on, the pre-school can take up to 32 children, has 4 qualified members of staff and opens 5 mornings a week. Money is still raised through fundraising events run by volunteers but the pre-school has a more structured day in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage ‘Birth to Five’ framework.

Current Supervisor, since 2005, Vicky Archer says: “I’m thrilled to be part of a village Pre-School that is still popular 40 years on thanks to the hard work of a lot of people during that time. Nowadays we’re fortunate that pre-schools are seen as good preparation for school, and we’re also able to participate in exciting schemes such as Forest School”.

The success of the Pre-School encouraged parents to start a Baby and Toddler Group in the village, which continues to meet every Wednesday afternoon.

Nearly new sale nearly a sell out!

Once again sellers, buyers and many, many helpers worked together to raise £545 for Long Wittenham Pre-School at the October 2010 nearly new sale. It wasn't quite a sell-out but it didn't need to be to raise a very respectable amount for the Pre-School. And the sellers didn't do too badly either!

St George's Day toddle waddle success

Thanks to the generosity of parents and other sponsors, and the energy of our children, Long Wittenham Pre-School successfully raised a massive £367.50 from its toddle waddle held on 23rd April 2010. The children walked through the village and rewarded themselves with some time at the playground and a picnic snack. The money was being raised for Long Wittenham Pre-School and the Meningitis Trust and was split 50:50. Well done to all involved!