| The
purpose built accommodation offers funded pre-school education
for children from both sides of the community. Places are
on a part-time basis. Funding for the project was secured
from the SELB Pre-Education Advisory Group (PEAG) and is part
of the wider SELB Pre-School Expansion Programme, whose main
objective is that a preschool education place is provided
for every child whose parents want a place, in the child’s
final year of pre-compulsory education. The school took approximately
6 months to build with completion in August 2002, which allowed
the children to start on the 2 September 2002 and cost approximately
£1.3 million. Both internally and externally, the cross
community nursery unit offers a stimulating and modern learning
environment, well equipped to provide a broad and balanced
pre-school curriculum.
SELB Chief Executive Helen McClenaghan was welcomed to the
Nursery Unit by Principal Caroline Browne and Chairman of
the Board of Governors, Rev Thompson. Mrs McClenaghan then
performed the official opening ceremony by cutting into a
celebratory cake to acknowledge the event. She commented,
“This provision of a nursery unit is for the entire
community in Moneymore and the surrounding area. I am pleased
that now nursery education is being made available throughout
the Southern Education & Library Board area and is no
longer solely an urban facility. I have no doubt that the
Nursery Unit will provide excellent preschool education for
the local community and I wish Mrs Browne and her team continued
success.”
The school comprises a secure outdoor play area to promote
social and physical development and plans are already underway
to add a large canopy to partially cover the outdoor play
area and therefore enhance its versatility. The indoor facilities
include a bright, spacious activity area, which is full equipped
with a variety of carefully chosen resources with an adjoining
cosy, Quiet Room, a fully equipped kitchen and staff room
and excellent toilet facilities with disabled access.
School Principal, Mrs Browne is very excited about what the
new nursery unit will offer local children in the community,
she added, “The warm friendly atmosphere is thanks to
the care and attention of the highly committed team in the
nursery. Mrs Stewart Nursery Teacher, Mrs Hurl Nursery Assistant,
Mrs Palmer SEN Classroom Assistant and Mrs Collins Domestic
Assistant all do a wonderful job. The team provide a variety
of well-supervised experiences across the seven area of the
pre-school curriculum including both indoor and outdoor activities.
The staff develop and monitor a nursery curriculum, which
will promote the children’s physical, intellectual,
emotional and social development within a caring and safe
environment taking account of each child’s individual
needs.”
Parents are also encouraged to become involved in a variety
of activities throughout the year in the Nursery Unit. Mrs
Browne emphasised, “We value and encourage parental
support in the Nursery and School. In the next few months,
workshops are planned for parents to support young children
in their learning.”
The Nursery Unit is holding an Open Day on Monday 27 January
2003 from 9.30am to 11am. All interested parents are welcome
to bring prospective pupils to the nursery to meet staff and
have a look at the facilities on offer.
Mrs Browne continued, “The Nursery Unit is only one
of several projects at Moneymore Primary School which include
construction of a new Staff Room, Toilet facilities, stores,
Key Stage 1 and 2 ICT Resource Areas and two additional permanent
classrooms. Moneymore is a growing community and this is reflected
in the expansion of the school.” |
