Cumbria aiming to have 'Top Tots' : Cumbria County Council

The Cumbria Sport Partnership plans to run a 'Top Tots' programme in the County this year with support from the Cumbria Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. Top Tots provides parents, childminders and nursery staff with a simple resource pack to introduce physical activity to young children from 18 months to 3 years and is one of a package of Community Sport Development programmes outlined for Cumbria over the next two years.

Cumbria Sport recently organised a training session, with support from Cumbria Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, where a professional Youth Sports Trust trainer trained a range of Sport Development Officers, teachers, Early Years & Childcare Officers, Crèche Workers and many others working with children of this age. These individuals will now be qualified to deliver local Top Tots workshops throughout the County. The countywide roll out of the project is being co-ordinated by Cumbria Sport. The Program is delivered to involve parents and children in playing and developing physical skills together, the packs can be used as a Library scheme where parents and carers can borrow the resources.

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says

"This is a wonderful example of our aim to increase the amount of physical activity provided to the children of this County whilst continuing to work to raise educational standards. Cumbria Sport work extremely hard with all agencies, including Cumbria Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, to introduce a range of programmes such as this which not only develops physical education to children but will also improve the social development of our communities."

Becky Richardson, Cumbria Sport Development Officer (Community) says

"The Cumbria Sport Partnership are committed to work in partnership to deliver community sport development programmes throughout the County. The Top Tots project is an exciting and fun way to introduce physical activity to young children from 18 months to 3 years. The project not only introduces young people to physical activity, but it is a wonderful scheme to re-introduce adults into the learning environment which may even lead to career opportunities."

Angela Harrison, Training Officer for Cumbria Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership says

"We are very keen to develop programs aimed at people working with children 18 months to three years. It is a very important stage in a child's development and working in partnership with Cumbria Sport this is just one example of a project that will help introduce physical activity at an early age. Further details of course times and venues will be placed in the Partnership's Training Bulletins throughout the coming year."

If you are interested in working with Cumbria Sport to deliver this scheme or you would like further details about the project please contact Becky Richardson at Cumbria Sport on 01228 606931 or e-mail Rebecca Richardson.