Still growing strong after a quarter of a century

CHILDREN at Carrington Pre-School have been celebrating their 25th anniversary throughout the week.

Youngsters at the school in Chapel Road, Flackwell Heath, have been been playing board games and holding special events just before the end of their school day.

A party for the staff and parents was held on Tuesday evening with a display of photographs from over the past 25 years.

Yvonne Purchase, supervisor at the school, said: 'We invited people who have been with us from the beginning and the parents, but the children have had their celebrations all week.'

Mrs Purchase, who has been at the school since it opened, said all the children at the school got to take away a permanent memento of the anniversary with them - a 25th anniversary Carrington Pre-School pencil.

During the spring of 1975, the headmistress at Carrington Infant School, approached a group of mothers with her idea of running a playgroup in a spare classroom. Mothers Jean Thomas, Nova Watling, Anne Moody and Carol Jaycock held various meetings and fundraising events to pay the registration fee and buy basic equipment for the new playgroup.

The playgroup finally opened in September 1975 and Andre Harvey and Mrs Mavis Tomkins were employed as the first members of staff, who were helped by some of the mothers.

Over the next few years the group grew and had many loyal volunteers.

In July 1997 the school was accredited by the Pre-School Learning Alliance and during 1996/7 the pre-school established a joint nursery programme with the Infant School.

Carrington Pre-School, a registered charity, now has around 100 children attending its morning and afternoon sessions throughout the week.

Still growing strong after a quarter of a century

CHILDREN at Carrington Pre-School have been celebrating their 25th anniversary throughout the week.

Youngsters at the school in Chapel Road, Flackwell Heath, have been been playing board games and holding special events just before the end of their school day.

A party for the staff and parents was held on Tuesday evening with a display of photographs from over the past 25 years.

Yvonne Purchase, supervisor at the school, said: 'We invited people who have been with us from the beginning and the parents, but the children have had their celebrations all week.'

Mrs Purchase, who has been at the school since it opened, said all the children at the school got to take away a permanent memento of the anniversary with them - a 25th anniversary Carrington Pre-School pencil.

During the spring of 1975, the headmistress at Carrington Infant School, approached a group of mothers with her idea of running a playgroup in a spare classroom. Mothers Jean Thomas, Nova Watling, Anne Moody and Carol Jaycock held various meetings and fundraising events to pay the registration fee and buy basic equipment for the new playgroup.

The playgroup finally opened in September 1975 and Andre Harvey and Mrs Mavis Tomkins were employed as the first members of staff, who were helped by some of the mothers.

Over the next few years the group grew and had many loyal volunteers.

In July 1997 the school was accredited by the Pre-School Learning Alliance and during 1996/7 the pre-school established a joint nursery programme with the Infant School.

Carrington Pre-School, a registered charity, now has around 100 children attending its morning and afternoon sessions throughout the week.