Three nurseries in Eden are up to £1000 better off today, after the county council's local committee awarded them money from its budget at its meeting on Monday (4 February).
Members of the committee agreed to provide up a total of £2,482 to the three local groups, who had requested financial support:
- £1000 to Upper Eden Childminding Group. This is a voluntary support group for 13 childminders operating in the Tebay/Kirkby Thore/Shap area. Together they care for 84 children in these rural areas, and meet up together every couple of months to share ideas and give each other support.
The money will go towards a 'physical playbox' which will provide equipment for all the childminders to make use of.
- £800 to Safehands Green Start Nursery in Penrith. The nursery is part of a national chain and is a full day care facility operating all year round for children from birth to five years. The children in the nursery already grow their own vegetables and some fruit but the money given by the county council's Eden Local Committee will go towards providing a polytunnel and planting a sensory garden.
- £682 for Little VIPs. This is a private full day care facility which serves the rural community of Hackthorpe and beyond. The money from the local committee will be added to their own fundraising, and go towards repairing the route to their outdoor, grassed area. This will make it more accessible for all the children, parents, carers and visitors. They also plan to create a separate safe outside play areas for the under-2s at the nursery.
Councillor Philip Chappelhow is the chair of the county council's Local Committee for Eden. He said:
"I am delighted that we are able to support these groups, all of which have a real impact on people in Eden. I believe it is especially important that we support voluntary groups - this district, and indeed this county, would not survive without the work of its voluntary organisations."
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Further information from Alison Lister, Media Team, on 01228 606335