KIPPAX PRE-SCHOOL    PAST AND PRESENT

THE IDEA FOR A PLAYGROUP, as they were called at that time, was born when a group of Mums were returning home from the baby clinic, which incidentally was held in the downstairs room of the primitive Chapel at the corner of Well Lane and Leeds Road.  This was in 1968, it was agreed to set the wheels in motion to increase their educational and social skills.

They hired St. Mary’s Church Hall and as word began to spread so the group flourished.  Some parents went on childcare courses whilst others began to raise funds for play equipment.  Some Dads (and Mums) made equipment!  Social Services, Fire Regulators and Police checked the premises and gave the ‘go ahead’.

The Mums involved at the start were:

                Mary Wise          -                (Nurse)                    Joy Bate
                Margaret Smith         -           (Teacher)                Catherine Storr
                Jackie Kinder

Other Mums soon joined the team:

                Ann Richards                                                  Margaret Belt
                Barbara Little                                                  Jean Hosking
                Sandra Goodall                                               Beryl Pickles
                Jacqui Limbert                                                 Anne Scholey

The group then joined the Leeds Brand of Pre-school Playgroups Assoc. and became Registered Charity.  This charity is now known as the Pre-school Learning Alliance and the group operates under their Constitution.  There is a Volunteer Management Committee that employs trained staff to care for the children, giving both children and parents/carers precious space and time from each other.

Expansion followed and at one time they were open eight sessions a week, catering for a hundred 3 to 5 year olds attending twice a week.  There was by now a demand for some provisions for younger children, so the Committee decided to open a Mums & Tots session.  Once this was up and running they formed their own Committee and became independently run.

Other Staff/Committee over the years:

                Elsa Goddard                                                  Linda Bate
                Sue Webb                                                       Janet Longbottom
                Laura Ellis                                                        Margaret Handforth
                Janet Whittaker                                                Sandra Smith

A round of applause for Janet Whittaker (Leader) 30 years not out!!

Janet started as a helper, then joined the Committee, took courses and was appointed Play leader in 1980, she
continues in the post.

As Council nurseries in schools began to open the Pre-school lost most of its 4 year olds, they were permitted to take children from 2½ to try to keep numbers up but, the nurseries then took younger children and numbers decreased again.  They had to look for smaller cosier premises.

With the help of local Councillors and hard work and dedication from the workers especially Kris Blackhurst, Karen Allen, Lou Smith, Glynis Longbottom, Sandra Butterworth, Donna Ballance and Janet Whittaker an available building was found.  The Councillors spent their allotted ‘mice money’ on the building in support of the premises that parents should have choices.

Social Services re-registered the group and surprisingly they were told they could take children as young as 2 years old.

On 3^rd October 1998 the new ‘home’ was opened by Councillor Keith Parker.

Here are some photos of the group.

This one shows Councillors Keith Parker, Marion Monks and Keith Wakefield with George Graham Wilkinson standing together enjoying the activities

Here mum Karen Downing and Lou Smith are at the puzzle table.

Here are Karen Allen, Kris Blackhurst and Mary Cooper (Head teacher at the time of Ashtree Primary School) with some of the children outside the new location.

These premises are located in the old house of the School Caretakers at the rear of the school, off Westfield Lane.  These ladies together with Margaret Shelbourn from Social Services and Keith Parker were primarily instrumental in the move, which has been successful.  However, we must not forget the invaluable assistance of Dads also:

                Jimmy Blackhurst                                                           Stuart Allen
                Jon Ballance                                                                   Stuart Wilson

Other names who have more recently been involved:

                Steve Greenwood                                                           Begum Hall
                Moira Kelly                                                                    Linda Wood
                Linda Murphy                                                                 Lynn Cavell
                Lynn Bentley                                                                   Jacqui Smith
                Kelly Birkenshaw

With SINCERE APOLOGIES to the many who must have been missed.

The group is still going strong but staff has to rely on the parents forming the Management Committee to do the administration for the employees.  This Committee is elected from AND by the parents at the Annual General Meeting, without this the staff could not be employed and the group would fold.

Parents help on a rota basis once a month and are involved in all aspects.  Staff are continually upgrading their qualifications and keeping pace with current legislation.  They ensure that the children learn through friendly, safe and constructive play to be independent, well rounded youngsters in preparation for mandatory education.

It is gratifying to note that many of the early workers have had children and grandchildren going through the Pre-school and at the present time Kathleen Jackson and Ivy Guthrie have grandchildren attending whilst they are helpers.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT SESSIONS, STAFF AND MANAGEMENT ETC. PLEASE CONTACT:

                Janet                                       0113 2861631                 Leader
                Lou                                         0113 2876268                 Leader
                Kelly                                       0113 2865353                 Registrar
                Donna                                     07779 628855                 Committee Chairperson

November 2002