Meeting the people who help us
Budding pre-school crimefighters and lifesavers were given an insight into working for the emergency services at a busy event at Camp Hill last week.
Registered Childminders from Nuneaton and North Warwickshire and the children they look after came along to a special activity morning at Camp Hill Children’s Centre on Friday 20 February and spoke to firefighters, paramedics, police officers and police community support officers about their roles protecting the community.
Childminder Joy Boxall from Nuneaton conceived the idea for the session. Joy is a network accredited childminder, registered with the local authority to provide early education to her minded children, her planning this term involved teaching them about these people who help us.
Joy shared her ideas with the childminders at the children’s centre who contacted the event organisers Marion Childs, Childminder Network Coordinator and Camp Hill Children’s Centre Manager, Denise Galland.
The centre enhanced the theme further by providing play opportunities in honour of the special guests. Children enjoyed taking part in hospital and reception role-play, playing with toy ambulances and fire engines and other themed activities.
The children came away having learned a lot about the services that protect our communities. They gained a better understanding of the work these men and women do and had fun looking at the uniforms and special equipment.
Warwickshire County Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families said: “This activity morning is a good example of the variety of play and educational opportunities on offer at children’s centres around the county.
“Situated at the heart of communities, the centres’ have developed strong links with local services and agencies as clearly demonstrated by this fun and informative event organised in partnership with Warwickshire’s excellent Childminder Network.”
Camp Hill Children’s Centre is one of more than 30 centres in Warwickshire that provide a range of childcare, information and support services to local families with children aged five and under. More information about Children’s Centres is available from Warwickshire’s Family Information Service, please call 0845 090 8044 or visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fis.
Warwickshire’s Childminder Network is a quality assured scheme which provides support and professional development opportunities for registered childminders who wish to specialise in offering nursery education funded places or who wish to provide support for families in times of need.
For more information contact Network Co-ordinators Marion Childs on 01926 810320 or Louise Hardwick on 01926 743057.