Meridian Index

It is amazing what children might eat if (a) their best friend is eating it and (b) they think it is fun. We had a topic in March all about food, and even though the children may not have eaten all the different exotic fruits and vegetables, they did try most of it. They whisked up milkshakes and Angel Delights, chopped up cheese sandwiches and tossed a few pancakes. Marion and Dudley Morgan invited us all to Trinity Farm to look at the lambs and hens - the children love it especially if they can squelch around in some mud.

 After Easter we have another of our favourite topics - Spring Growth - frogs, butterflies, plants, insects and snails. This can be testing for the Playleaders and children - a tray of bugs and slugs hitting the floor can clear the room - but it is a lot of fun.

 And, because we all need treats occasionally, we held a Pampering Event one evening in March where we ladies could do what we love best - drink champagne, shop and indulge ourselves. Perhaps we should arrange one for the men - what activities do you think we could provide to tempt them - and would we be barred from booking the Memorial Hall?! Suggestions please....

 We do have a great committee - they have also arranged an Easter Egg hunt for the children and will be organising our STRAWBERRY TEAS on Sunday 27^th June. And we are well supported by the local businesses too, so thank you.

 On Saturday 22^nd May we open our doors to everyone for our OPEN MORNING. The Preschool staff and committee are there to meet our prospective clients, and we do have a bumper crop of two year olds in the village this year. We will have lots of activities ready for the children and we can talk to parents about our Preschool and what we can offer to your children. It is held in the Youth Centre at the Village College from 10.30 am to 12 noon, you are warmly invited and we look forward to meeting you.

 We are collecting Persil Star tokens and Tesco Computers for Schools Vouchers, if you could collect some for us. Last year, we had moulding sand from the Persil tokens, and a musical keyboard and electronic story books from Tescos.

 By the time this article appears, we will be submitting our Lottery application for a new Preschool building on the site of the former library. We will have a display of the plans at our Open Morning. For a long time, this seemed to be a “pipe dream” and it has been a long and complicated process, but we are determined that we will have our new building. We are a growing village and Preschool needs to develop to meet the increasing and changing requirements of its young population. So wish us luck, and we will let you know as soon as we hear.

 If you would like more details about Preschool, or to register your child with us, please give me a ring on 01954 203039 or email me on cathy.dennis@ntlworld.com.

 With best wishes,

 Cathy Dennis
 Supervisor

 Swavesey Playtimers

Playtimers, formerly known as toddlers and tiddlers, now runs three times a week in Swavesey Memorial Hall offering playtime and crafts for babies to pre-schoolers, accompanied by parent/carer.

Our session times are as follows:

Mondays - 1.30 -3.00pm

Wednesdays - 10.00 -11.30am (this includes a structured sing song and parachute play with Sharon Stevens for the last half an hour)

Fridays - 10.00 -11.30am

All pre-schoolers are welcome at all sessions. Mondays and Fridays cost £1.50 and Wednesdays costs £2.50 if paid a half term in advance or £3.00 per session if you prefer to pay as you go along.

The sessions are a brilliant opportunity for children and parents/carers to meet up and are run on a volunteer basis by a committed and enthusiastic group of people. We ask all parents to help out by occasionally setting up and making drinks.

Any profit made is spent on the group, updating toys, craft materials so that we have a wide variety of toys to suit all ages.

We have organised a toy and baby clothing sale to raise funds, and also invite a photographer on a yearly basis, and groups such as Pampered Chef. In fact, there is always something happening like A Mother's Day Cookie Bake and everyone looks forward to the Christmas party, which is getting bigger and better each year.

So come along and join the fun!

If you require more information please call Sam on 201760