Rewards for threatened Peebles Playgroup

David O'Leary • Published 11 Feb 2011 09:30 0 Comments

ROSETTA Playgroup has been thrown a valuable financial lifeline this week.

The threatened centre has been awarded a £1000 grant from a council fund reserved especially for vulnerable playgroups.

A further financial boost was also delivered by Peebles Scout Group, who have waived rent on their property, despite they themselves also seeking funding to move from their dilapidated hut.

The money will assure the running of the playgroup through the rest of this school year. A fortnight ago we reported how the playgroup was facing closure as a result of the falling number of children being registered for the next session.

The group are however scheduled to move along with Halyrude Primary to new premises within the old Kingsland buildings this April and the playgroup's committee are hopeful that these new premises will attract vital new registrations.

And this week's funding news allows the committee to concentrate on attracting kids to the group.

Susan Brown, treasurer of the Rosetta Playgroup committee said: "We are extremely grateful to Peebles Scout Group for their concession, particularly when it is made at a time when they have their own fundraising priorities towards a new hut at the Dean Park site.

"It is testament to the community spirit that exists in Peebles that another charitable group can support us in this way, despite the funding difficulties that we all have in the current financial climate."

Yvonne McCracken, Head of Schools Services (West) at Scottish Borders Council said: "Rosetta Playgroup applied for this grant and was awarded £1000 from the vulnerable playgroup grant scheme.

"As part of the Early Years strategy, we seek to maintain local accessible and affordable childcare and to support providers where possible in achieving the best possible start in life for all of our children."

However despite the financial reprieve, Rosetta Playgroup can still only survive if sufficient children are registered for the year starting August 2011.

The group offers funded pre-school education sessions which follow the Scottish Government Curriculum for Excellence and council education guidelines.

Parents and carers of children who will be aged two and a half or over in August of this year are invited to visit the playgroup during their Open Week from Tuesday, February 22 - Friday, February 25 between 9.30am and 10.30am each day.

To find out more and arrange to visit please contact admissions secretary Leigh Brown, on 01721 720108 or chairperson, Gaye Brown on 01721 729539.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 11 Feb 11

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