27/5/2005 - Early years providers benefit from new resource centre

A brand new foundation stage resource centre recently opened in Distington will give early years providers in West Cumbria support in delivering the foundation stage curriculum to young children across the area. 

The centre is at the Old School in Distington. This is the first resource centre of its type in Cumbria and will provide a number of different services including: 

A loan service, providing a wide range of useful and exciting resources for use in early years settings. 

A catalogue of the resources available and an advance booking system so that resource loans can be linked with curriculum plans or current training activity.

Up to date resources and professional journals for early years staff.

A place where practitioners will want to come and share ideas, see what’s available, enjoy a cup of coffee and just have a browse! 

A book loan service provided by Cumbria County Council’s School Library Service.

In addition to the loan service, the centre also has a ‘classroom’ with displays of how some of the equipment available to borrow can be used. It has been designed to give practitioners new ideas for managing the learning environment. Training sessions can also be held at the centre. 

Ruth Guthrie, manager of the centre said: 

"We’ve had a number of trial drop in sessions and the feedback has been really positive. People are saying, ‘it’s just what we need’ so that’s great to hear. 

If we had divided up the money available between each early years provider then individual settings would have been able to afford just two or three new books. By investing the funding in a resource centre, practitioners will have access to a wide range of resources they would not otherwise have been able to afford. This will enable them to offer a diverse and more enriching learning experience to the children they work with. We hope as many providers as possible will use the new service."

Wendy Smith, senior school improvement officer for Cumbria County Council officially opened the centre earlier this month. She said:

"The resource centre will provide opportunities for all practitioners, whatever the setting, to be inspired and motivated to provide an excellent foundation for young children . The way the centre has been created is friendly and inviting so people feel welcome. Its an excellent resource for West Cumbria to have."

The centre is open during normal office hours and some evenings at the start and end of term. 

For more information on the resources available either pop into the centre, call 01946 839830 or email ruth.guthrie@cumbriacc.gov.uk

A brand new foundation stage resource centre recently opened in Distington will give early years providers in West Cumbria support in delivering the foundation stage curriculum to young children across the area. 

The centre is at the Old School in Distington. This is the first resource centre of its type in Cumbria and will provide a number of different services including: 

A loan service, providing a wide range of useful and exciting resources for use in early years settings. 

A catalogue of the resources available and an advance booking system so that resource loans can be linked with curriculum plans or current training activity.

Up to date resources and professional journals for early years staff.

A place where practitioners will want to come and share ideas, see what’s available, enjoy a cup of coffee and just have a browse! 

A book loan service provided by Cumbria County Council’s School Library Service.

In addition to the loan service, the centre also has a ‘classroom’ with displays of how some of the equipment available to borrow can be used. It has been designed to give practitioners new ideas for managing the learning environment. Training sessions can also be held at the centre. 

Ruth Guthrie, manager of the centre said: 

"We’ve had a number of trial drop in sessions and the feedback has been really positive. People are saying, ‘it’s just what we need’ so that’s great to hear. 

If we had divided up the money available between each early years provider then individual settings would have been able to afford just two or three new books. By investing the funding in a resource centre, practitioners will have access to a wide range of resources they would not otherwise have been able to afford. This will enable them to offer a diverse and more enriching learning experience to the children they work with. We hope as many providers as possible will use the new service."

Wendy Smith, senior school improvement officer for Cumbria County Council officially opened the centre earlier this month. She said:

"The resource centre will provide opportunities for all practitioners, whatever the setting, to be inspired and motivated to provide an excellent foundation for young children . The way the centre has been created is friendly and inviting so people feel welcome. Its an excellent resource for West Cumbria to have."

The centre is open during normal office hours and some evenings at the start and end of term. 

For more information on the resources available either pop into the centre, call 01946 839830 or email ruth.guthrie@cumbriacc.gov.uk