18/9/2003

Local News

Pre-school plans take first steps

PLANS for a pre-school within Byfleet Primary School are progressing following an extension of the building over the summer holidays.
A conservatory-style extension has been carried out by Value Conservatories to make room for a pre-school to be introduced.
The school proposes to  incorporate a 72 square-metre pre-school within its existing premises in Kings Head Lane, Byfleet.
The new conservatory would open onto the computer area and would eventually become a combined technology and library area.
The library would be moved from its current location in a classroom so the space could be used as a teaching room.
This will leave a free classroom which would be allocated to the pre-school facility.
The final step would involve reshuffling the classrooms to enable the pre-school to be placed in a larger room adjacent to the reception class.
This would mean the pre-school could have its own out-door play area and a separate entrance to the main school.
It was felt this would be the most appropriate location and would make it easier for children wanting to feed from the pre-school to the primary school.
Headteacher Myra Stevens estimated the move would take place next summer for the pre-school to open September 2004, however this is dependant on funding.
Until then, the finishing touches to the interior of the extension will be completed and conservatory will be used as an extended group room.
Mrs Stevens has high hopes for the proposals. She said: “The extension is the first phase of the plan going through. Now we are able to see that it is possible and I hope this will move us closer to our end goal.”
Letters are being sent to parents this week asking them to express their interests in using the pre-school.
The school is also hoping to recruit new staff for the pre-school and it is estimated four positions will be available.
A six-man committee of teachers, governors and parents is working on the pre-school project.
The proposals were developed following a positive response form research where parents of pupils at the school and other local pre-schools were asked if they felt a new pre-school in the area would be beneficial to the village.
The response supported the need for a pre-school in the northern part of Byfleet and showed there was a high demand for pre-school places.
Many parents were concerned they would not be allocated the preferred place for their child.
The committee is expecting to hear by Christmas whether it has been successful in its application for government funding under the government’s Sure Start scheme.
This is the third bid for a pre-school on the premises. Two previous attempts by private applicants have failed to secure the required funding so the school has taken up the challenge itself

First printed in: Byfleet News and Mail