Community comes together to develop childcare facility in Silloth

With the support of Cumbria Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership a group of parents and community members have come together to form a committee to develop a childcare facility in Silloth. The non-profit making organisation aims to commission the services of a childcare workers co-operative from the North East to work with them to develop a business plan and provide childcare related training. 

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says 

"I am delighted that Cumbria Early Years and Childcare Partnership are able to support the Silloth community to address the childcare needs of the area. I am sure that with this help and support the committee will be able to establish a good, successful childcare facility for Silloth, which is both good quality and affordable for the local people. I wish it every success." 

Tricia Bewick, Early Years Co-ordinator for Allerdale, has been heavily involved in bringing together the original steering group, which eventually lead to the formation of the committee. She says 

"An acute shortage of all types of childcare across the age ranges was identified in Silloth. The parents and community members have come together, with the support of Cumbria Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership, the Pre-School Learning Alliance, the County Council's Neighbourhood Development & Solway Rural Initiatives, to form a non-profit community enterprise to establish a childcare facility in Silloth. The secondary and primary schools are also involved and it is hoped that the facility will be up and running by 2004." 

For more information about the project please contact either Tricia Bewick on 07967 050399 or Mary Hillhouse on 016973 82235.