Parents joined staff and supporters for the grand opening of Riverside Pre-school’s bright new setting at Bitterne Park Primary School on October 16.
Elsie, aged 3½, prepares to cut the ceremonial ribbon to open Riverside Pre-School’s new play rooms
The pre-school moved into new play rooms and offices on the primary school site over the summer, in what was the junior school. Previously it was next to the infant school.
Lead practitioner Michelle Stride (left) said that there were various reasons behind the move:
“One was that we needed to have slightly bigger premises because we’ve got a very long waiting list. Lots of families in Bitterne Park actually can’t access us at the right time. And the school has become a primary school, and eventually they want to link the two buildings – the infant school to the junior school – and we were right in the middle!”
The pre-school has now gained a new outside space about three times the size of its old area.
'No such thing as unsuitable weather!'
“Our motto is ‘there’s no such thing as unsuitable weather; only unsuitable clothing’! so we’re outside all the time. To have that bigger space is really, really good,” said Michelle.
One part of the outside space has been covered so it really can be used in all weathers, and the inside area is brimming with new equipment – already proving a big hit with small people.
Swallow's Nest
The community pre-school is run by a voluntary management committee of parents, and operates on a not-for-profit basis. It started in a house in Manor Farm Road as a private organisation known as Swallow’s Nest, moving into the infant school in 1995, and gradually expanding over the years until the move to its latest location.
Riverside Pre-school now has 128 children on the roll, with plans to increase numbers slightly over the coming year, as everyone settles into their new home.
Details
Riverside Pre-school, Bitterne Park Primary School, Manor Farm Road, Bitterne Park, Southampton. SO18 1NX
Tel: 023 80363018