Entries tagged with “childcare” from Working For Walthamstow
There has been a lot of recent press reporting and politicking locally on school places. It's an issue I know many readers will have strong concerns about. As a local school governor, I've been keen to get clarity on what is happening here in Walthamstow. I've been investigating this issue for some time and I want to share the information I have.
There is no doubt we face a challenge in meeting the schooling needs of our local population, like a lot of other areas in London. This challenge has been driven by a number of factors. There's been a "demographic bump" reflecting an increased birthrate over the last few years. At the same time, a larger proportion of children are being schooled in the state primary sector. And, as families have moved more and more around London, it's been difficult to plan effectively.
These factors combined mean we need more places. To provide those places, we need more funding, as Ed Balls argued when he came to Walthamstow last week. That's why the Government has set aside money for Schools in London. Following this, along with Neil Gerrard, I've been seeking assurances from the local authority that no Walthamstow child who needs a reception place in September will be without one. I've also asked them to confirm that all these children will be given places in schools, rather than in buildings outside their school sites. I'm also determined to ensure these places are provided in line with the law so that this increase in the need for places doesn't lead to larger class sizes. In 1997, 33% of infant school children were in class sizes of more than 30 children. Now it is just 2.1%. For our children to continue benefiting from such smaller class sizes, local schools will have to be able to provide additional classes as well as additional places.
I've now been given those assurances. Specifically, I've been told that there are 3,300 places available within schools locally and that parents of children in this age group who have registered for a place will get letters about their children's school on 24 May 2010. That's why now I'd like to hear what parents have to say about this situation. I'm also keen to hear from other governors about the plans being made to provide additional spaces and their views on the proposals. If you're a parent, or a governor or a teacher, or you just want to let me know what you think, please get in touch.
This is the fourth such event I have organised in this series to make sure Walthamstow's residents have a direct opportunity to discuss children and young people's services. Our special guest will be the Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and it is the fourth such event we have organised to bring Government ministers directly to Walthamstow to listen to our views on these issues.
This free event will be held on Thursday 25th March between 6.00 pm and 8.00 pm at the Queens Road Community Centre, 215 Queens Road, Walthamstow, London E17 8PJ. The evening will be very relaxed with no long speeches and you can drop in anytime during the two hours to take part. It is Walthamstow's chance to meet the man responsible for schools and for policies affecting children and families and to tell him directly what we would like the Government to do for our children. Local teachers, school governors and youth workers are also invited to attend so that they can inform the discussion.
Light refreshments and children's entertainment will be available and the event has kindly been sponsored by our local trade union Unison. The founder of a new local Origami Club, Yoko Mihara Neckles, will be on hand to teach children the Japanese art of paperfolding so do please bring them along for some fun and to give their thoughts as well.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP to amy@workingforwalthamstow.org.uk or call 07530 707515 to help us ensure we are able to cater for the numbers of people who wish to participate.
Our children our future 2009 andy burnham.pdfI'm pleased to announce that this year the Our Children, Our Future free fun day for families in Walthamstow will take place at Tumble in the Jungle (245 Wood Street) on Thursday 30 April 3.30pm - 5.30pm. Our special guest this year will be Andy Burnham MP, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Along with plenty of activities for children of all ages, there will be the opportunity to have your say on the provision of play facilities and parks in Walthamstow as well as tell the minister first hand what you think would help Britain's young people excel in the fields of culture and sport. Many local voluntary groups will also have stalls there providing information and of course there will be plenty of tea, squash and cake for everyone! Children of all ages and their parents or carers are welcome so I hope to see many of you there. If you have any questions about this event, or would like to run a stall there please do get in touch.
Ahead of Andy Burnham's visit to Walthamstow in two weeks time, I've put together a short on-line survey about provision for young people in Walthamstow. You can fill it in here. I'll be feeding back the results to Andy directly as well as the local authority. If you can't come along on the 30 April personally to take part in the event this is also a great way to have your say on these issues. The survey will be open for responses until the 29 April.
This past week I attended the Labour Party Conference in Manchester to participate in the policy debates regarding the future direction of Government. I'm proud Labour will put into law the pledge to end child poverty in our country to make it a legal obligation for all future governments whatever their political persuasion. I'm also proud that it is Labour proposing ending prescription charges by introducing free drugs for a quarter of a million cancer patients from next year. The plan is for this eventually to be extended to all those with long term medical conditions- meaning that in the future no one should need to worry about their ability to pay for vital medication if Labour is in power. The commitment to offer free nursery places for all two year olds within the next ten years will also make a real difference to local families, as will plans to make sure that a million children from low income backgrounds get access to computers and the internet. These were my highlights - I would be interested in your views on these ideas and how they will change life here in Walthamstow.
My personal highlight of the week was meeting Ed Clancy, a member of the British gold medal winning men's cycling team from the 2008 Olympics. The velodrome for the 2012 Olympics in London will be at the Lee Valley Park so I look forward to welcoming Ed and other members of the British cycling team to our part of the world to build on their successes in 2012.
As well as free childcare, families will receive help to identify and attend training so they can get the most out of this scheme. The programme will be managed by the Learning and Skills Council and will start in our area in January 2009 before being extended to the rest of the country in September 2009. Childcare costs of up to £205 per week per child in London will be paid directly to the childcare provider. It's part of a package of support Labour is bringing in to help parents now so that they can support their families in the future. If you want to know more about this scheme or the other forms of financial support available to help parents please do get in touch.
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