The Association is looking forward to being more involved with pre-school activities and community engagement in the future. May the pre-school continue successfully for another 70 years. Please visit Lilly Brook's website and 'meet' their enthusiastic and committed manager, Jenna Lindow: https://www.lillybrookchildcare.co.uk/our-team Parents wishing to register their children should email l[email protected] 4 July 2021 - Looking positive for a September continuation under new management The trustees have met with the owners of a local pre-school looking to expand with a new setting and have meetings with two other interested parties in the next couple of weeks. Negotiations will progress shortly and look very positive for the continuation of Greenwood pre-school from September. 26 June 2021 - Encouraging news We have received two enquiries about starting a new pre-school from September at the Greenwood Centre. Investigations are underway and further news will be forthcoming at the beginning of July. The Association has also submitted an application to Ofsted and is awaiting a response. Early Years at Bromley Council have been very helpful. However, it is impossible to speak to anyone at Ofsted, to enquire and check that the application is complete and will be assessed. Email enquiries have been sent but no response has been received yet. Ofsted's website states that it may take up to 25 weeks for a registration to be granted. There are a number of checks for a new registration, including an inspection of the venue. We are hoping that, as an existing pre-school location and the hope that current staff will be able to continue under new management, the process may be speeded up. One of our local councillors, Angela Page, has looked into the situation and provided some useful information. We are confident that a solution will soon be forthcoming and we will be able to allay local parents' concerns for their children's pre-school education in the future. 19 June 2021
You may be aware of the disappointing news about Connect Schools Academy Trust closing the Greenwood pre-school at the end of July 2021. We appreciate the support shown by the community in these circumstances and are adamant that the Association will find a positive solution for the future of our local children’s education at the Greenwood Centre for years to come. Mrs Sheila Wardell, now in her 90s, started the pre-school after the Greenwood Centre first opened, in 1952. It continued independently until 2017, when Connect Schools Academy Trust (Crofton Schools Academy Trust at the time) purchased it from the previous owner who wished to retire. They signed a licence to occupy the Greenwood Centre, with the Association which owns the Centre, and have given three months' notice of ending the contract, as required. Connect has never done much to advertise Greenwood pre-school, which would be easy to do, particularly with social media, such as NextDoor and Facebook. The pupil numbers were down on pre-Covid figures but the staff numbers were similarly reduced. 26 children for September is not a bad starting point, so closing does not make any sense at this time. However, there is now an opportunity for the Association to take over the management of the pre-school. This would provide security and longevity for both the school and the Association. As a charity, our purpose is to promote the provision of recreational facilities for the benefit of the community. Our constitutional objects can be expanded to include educational facilities, if agreed by the Trustees and not objected to by the Charity Commission. The Association is not looking for a profit but would need to cover costs. The Trustees are keen to ensure the continuation of the pre-school and are working hard to achieve this. The first part of an application to Ofsted has already been submitted online but, not being experienced in educational or childcare provision, we will be contacting Early Years at Bromley for further help and advice. We need to act quickly if we are to be able to open the pre-school again in September/October. If you have experience or knowledge in this area, please do get in contact. Also, if you are interested in placing any children at the pre-school or know of other parents who would be, please let us know. Complete this form and we will keep you apprised of developments. Margot Rohan Trustee and Secretary
2 Comments
Annette Lewis
20/6/2021 03:48:36 pm
I know that Barbara Grandi, who was head teacher at GSG primary school, worked for Ofsted. Maybe she could help and/or offer advice. Does anyone have her contact details? She was very community minded and I’m sure would help if she could.
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Margot Rohan
20/6/2021 04:39:13 pm
Thank you Annette. Anyone's help with putting in our application to Ofsted would be very much appreciated.
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