Exciting plans for a bespoke school building have been passed that will help a popular village pre-school ‘flourish’ over the coming years.
Flamborough Pre-School submitted plans in early 2020 for a purpose built construction on land within the village primary school and they were approved in March this year.
Deputy manager Kate Locker explained: “The present pre-school is situated in the W.I. Hall on Southsea Road, and with the building being a shared facility it reduces the hours we can open. We identified that the hours and places we offer currently didn’t meet the demand for childcare services in the village and surrounding areas.”
“We have worked together with the primary school, Sports England and York Diocese (the land owners) to identify an appropriate plot within the school site. Together, plans were drawn up and agreed by all parties then submitted to ERYC in early 2020 to finally be approved 1st March 2021.”said Kate.
Funding for the new-build, which is expected to cost in the region of £300,000 will be met by existing finances, fund-raising events and grants.
Volunteers from Flamborough Pre-School are well known for organising popular local events, with the annual Dog Show and Boxing Day Sea Dip attracting large crowds. Raffles, sponsored activities and other fundraising events also bring in much needed revenue.
Local Flamborough businesses – The Viking Hotel, Ye Olde Tuck Shop, and the Co-op have also been helping to raise funds and awareness of the appeal.
“It all comes down to raising the money – we have a great team of people ready to start the clearing and building process as soon as the funds are in place – but we have a tight time frame working around the school summer holiday’s – but the majority of the work will hopefully be done during the six weeks.”explained Kate.
The new facility will offer places for 12 – two -year-olds and 16 three to four year olds per session along with 20 places available in the after school club. Operating hours will be 7.30am- 5.30pm
“We will be independent from school and remain a charitable facility, but will continue to work closely with school and help to provide an improved/easier transition to primary school. We will also offer an after-school club which all children at the primary school will be able to access. This will make it easier for working parents who struggle to access childcare and improve the job opportunities for parents seeking work as they will have access to wrap-around childcare.”said Kate.
For further information or to help with fundraising go to the Website: flamboroughpreschool@gmail.com
