Barra Childrens Centre, Isle of Barra, Western Isles

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Read CnES' Proposal for Nursery Accomodation at Castlebay Primary Department here >

CnES consultation on Pre-School provision.
CnES are currently in consultation to move Statutory Pre-School provision from Barra Children's Centre to Castlebay School Primary department in August 2012. The Board of Directors of Barra Children's Centre feel that relocating Pre-School provision to the School would be an unnecessarily costly and regressive move in light of the purpose built accommodation already provided at the Centre; an opinion which is shared by the majority of parents. The building of Barra Childnrens Centre was part funded by the National Lottery and CnES only ten years ago.The move will have serious implications for the Children's Centre and the services we provide to the community. Barra Childrens Centre is a community owned organisation that was established in 1999 to address a need within the community for purpose built accommodation for education and other services for the pre-school children of Barra and Vatersay. The Centre is situated just across the road from Castlebay School and in addition to providing accommodation for Council run Nursery provision, it also provides a Parent and Toddlers facility: used for informal drop-in sessions and playleader led activities in Gaelic and English for babies, toddlers and their families; and a Cafe.

More Information ...

Click for the minutes of BCC's EGM, 22/08/11:

31 parents voted unanimously in favour of keeping Pre-school provision at the Centre.

Whats on:

Parent & Toddlers group:

9.30am-12pm, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Facebook

P&G Champion Mum's Foundation Bursary Win!!!

Barra Children's Centre have won a £5000 bursary competition with Marie Claire magazine to refurbish the Parent and Toddlers playroom and create a child friendly area in the cafe.

Thanks to everyone who has helped with our reflooring project:

Thanks to Altro flooring and to all who have donated funds to cover installation costs.

Thanks also to MacGillivrays for providing technical advice and a great price for what will be a pretty complicated job.

THE CENTRE

Our vision ...

Who we are:
To improve the health, well being and education of children and families on the Isle of Barra.
A new Committee was established in April 2011 to address the following problems in Barra Children’s Centre:•Funding for the Children’s Centre Manager’s post ran out in January 2011•Management problems and lack of administrative procedures•Loss making cafe.In June 2011, a plan was devised to prioritise the work & resources of the Committee. The aim of the plan is to ensure the following:•Barra Children’s Center meets the needs of children, families, funders and other stakeholders.•Focus energies to ensure that the Children’s center remains sustainable and stable into the future.•Ensure our work is grounded within our vision, mission and values.

our mission ...
Barra Children’s Center is committed to promoting the well-being of children and families. We exist to provide a range of children and family services to meet local needs.

and our values ...
•Welcoming •Child Centered •Mutual Dignity and Respect •Parents as first educators •Strengthening Gaelic language and culture.•Partnership. •Quality/Best Practice. •Valuing Staff/Volunteers.

Our future:
Recent developments with CnES have led the committee to seek to work in partnership with the Comhairle as a matter of urgency to secure external funding to carry out the modifications required to ensure the ongoing suitability of the building and the sustainability of its role within our community.The committee is also in the process of applying for funding for the Barra Children’s Centre Manager’s post which will enable us to work towards addressing the needs identified in our business plan.Long term plans:The committee will apply for capital funding for developing Barra Children’s Centre to provide the following:•Extra space for Parent & toddler room to develop children’s service•Convert existing space or extend building for crèche or other child care facility. •Research converting loft space (with separate access) for potential rental income.•The committee will work with local organisations to achieve the aims and values outlined above.•Develop a funding strategy to identify and secure a range of funding options.The plan incorporates a degree of flexibility to ensure Barra Children’s Centre remains responsive, innovative and relevant to meeting the needs of children and families.

NURSERY PROVISON

Introduction:Pre-School Consultation

CnES consultation on Pre-School provision.
CnES are currently in statutory consultation to move Statutory Pre-School provision from Barra Children's Centre to Castlebay School Primary department in August 2012. The Board of Directors of Barra Children's Centre feel that relocating Pre-School provision to the School would be an unnecessarily costly and regressive move in light of the purpose built accommodation already provided at the Centre; an opinion which is shared by the majority of parents. The building of Barra Childnren’s Centre was part funded by the National Lottery and CnES only ten years ago.The move will have serious implications for the Children's Centre and the services we provide to the community. Barra Childrens Centre is a community owned organisation that was established in 1999 to address a need within the community for purpose built accommodation for education and other services for the pre-school children of Barra and Vatersay. The Centre is situated just across the road from Castlebay School and in addition to providing accommodation for Council run Nursery provision, it also provides a Parent and Toddlers facility: used for informal drop-in sessions and playleader led activities in Gaelic and English for babies, toddlers and their families; and a Cafe. Parents are as yet in the dark as to what accommodation will be provided at the School, and at a public meeting in September, voted unanimously in favour of keeping pre-school provision at the Children's centre. Access and parking at Castlebay Primary department are problematic for parents and carers dropping off and collecting young children and the School will require refurbishment to accommodate the nursery classes. Concerns have also been raised about the impact of accommodating the extra classes on the increasing number of pupils in the Primary department.The Children’s Centre offers a very joined up service to families in Barra and Vatersay: with good access, parking and purpose built facilities. Parents can enjoy a coffee and a chat at our Parent and Toddlers sessions after dropping older siblings off at Croilegan or Playgroup; and then enjoy lunch together in our cafe. On an Island with limited access to indoor recreational facilities for families, the Children's centre is a thriving central hub for children and their carers and has also created local employment.The voluntary Directors of Barra Children’s Centre are enthusiastic about the growing demand for Galeic Nursery places and have been working with CnES to address the shortfall in places, yet discussions about increasing the number of sessions of Gealic Pre-school to meet demand in the short term have so far been unsuccessful. The Centre is in a great position at the moment having won a £5000 bursary from the P&G Champion Mum’s foundation to refurbish the playroom, cafe and communal hallway in addition to having received donations to complete a re-flooring project. A recent Care Commission inspection of Nursery provision at the Centre was extremely positive and the majority of parents who currently use the services we provide would like to see Pre-School provision remain at the Centre. In light of this, and the community’s support of the Centre over the last ten years, it’s frustrating that one of the Centre’s primary functions, is currently under threat.The Centre has a five year development plan to ensure the sustainability of the organisation and we are currently seeking grant funding to create 3 part time posts and increase the services on offer to families on Barra and Vatersay. We have a fantastic premises, a great deal of community support and also the potential to extend the building and expand the services available on-site. We are currently looking into the possibility of accessing grant funding to build a conservatory extension which would provide an 'outdoor space indoors' with sandpit and area for trike riding and also the necessary increased accommodation for the Gaelic Pre-School class. Thus providing a permanent solution to the rising demand for Gaelic Pre-school places with no cost to taxpayers. This could only come about through a partnership with CnES and a commitment from them to stay for a number of years.

Letter to Guth Bharraidh Barra Children’s Centre at risk!EGM Monday 22nd August, 8pm _ Barra Children’s CentreOn Monday night (09/08/11), members of the Barra Children Centre committee met with Bernard Chisholm from the Education Department who informed us about proposals to move pre-school provision from Barra Children’s Centre to the Primary School building in January 2012.His reasons for the proposals were as follows:•To keep 3-18 years school provision on one site.•To provide more space in order to rising demand for Gaelic nursery provision which cannot currently be met by the Croilegan morning session.•To save costs.As parents and committee members we have problems with the proposals, some of which are outlined below:Access ProblemsParents can easily access the Children’s Centre on foot or by car, especially those with large families. The Primary School is very difficult to reach from the main entrance and impossible for pushchairs, prams and wheelchair users. Parking provision at the Primary School is far from adequate, meaning that access through the Primary School will require an up-hill walk with young children (in often in inclement weather) across the road from available parking.Lack of Specialist FacilitiesPre-School Children currently have supervised access to toilet facilities within the teaching rooms which is essential for very young children. Toilet facilities in the primary school are difficult to supervise and will be shared with older children. Installing adequate toilet facilities in the existing school building will be expensive.SecurityThe Children’s Centre has one point of secure access to the Croilegan and Playgroup, accessible via a buzzer. It’s other door opens directly onto the garden allowing for easy secure access to the outside. The Primary School does not have classrooms which open directly to the outside – the playground is accessible through long mixed corridors.Barra Children’s Centre DevelopmentThe Children’s Centre in Castlebay is a community owned asset that was purposely built by the community to meet a local need for pre-school provision and childcare. In addition to providing accommodation for Castlebay Croilegan and Nursery classes, the Children’s Centre also provides a Parent and Toddler’s facility : used for informal drop-in sessions and playleader led activities in Gaelic and English, and a Cafe. It is an important and unique meeting place for pre-school children of all ages and their parents which came into existence due to the hard work and commitment of volunteers. Removing nursery provision from the building will without doubt put into jeopardy a highly regarded and well used community asset to the detriment of the pre-school children and families of Barra and Vatersay. The Children’s Centre committee has been working with the Community Co-ordinator since March to secure funding to develop the centre to ensure its survival. If you would like council-run pre-school provision to remain within the Children’s Centre building, please voice your concerns when the Comhairle consult on their plans in September, attend our EGM on the 22nd August or visit our Facebook page to add your support.-The Barra Children’s Centre Committee

Letter to Malcolm Burr 09/08/11

Letter to Malcolm Burr, Cheif Executive, CnES
Mr Malcolm BurrChief ExecutiveCNESSandwick RoadStornowayIsle of LewisHS1 2BW09 August 2011Dear Mr BurrBarra Children’s Centre and CNES plans to withdrawWe are writing to you after a disappointing proposal from Mr Chisholm and Ms White of CNES.We were summoned to a meeting on 8th August by the head teacher of Castlebay Community School with less than 2 working days’ notice. We were told at the meeting that the CNES were proposing to withdraw their pre-school provision from the Children’s Centre in Castlebay in January and move it to Castlebay Community School.The Children’s Centre in Castlebay is a community owned asset that was purposely built by the community to meet a local need for pre-school provision and childcare. It has now been built for 10 years and we recognise that in that time needs and demands on this space have changed. We are currently working to address these changes. In addition to providing accommodation for Castlebay Croilegan and Nursery classes, the Children’s Centre also provides a Parent and Toddler’s facility : used for informal drop-in sessions and playleader led activities in Gaelic and English for babies, toddlers and their families; and a Cafe. It is an important and unique meeting place for pre-school children of all ages and their parents, run by a committee of active and committed fund-raisers.We are very disappointed with the line taken by CNES and the lack of notice given for removing our main source of rental income. There are three points we would like to address:-1.The Children’s Centre committee has development plans and are currently submitting applications to several funding bodies to improve the facilities. We have been in consultation with:•CNES Community Co-ordinator•CNES Business Gateway•Highlands and Island Asset Team•LEADER•Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay•Campbell, Stewart, MacLennan and Co•ACAS•Robertson Trust•Children in Need•Balance ScotlandCNES did not research all options before forming their proposal and they have never contacted us as their current provider to discuss their plans for the future and how we can help them meet their statutory needs and requirements.2.There is currently the potential for extra capacity in the building which could be explored with CNES in the short-term until we have the funding in place to extend and develop all aspects of the building. 3.The Scottish Government supports communities owning their own assets as a vehicle for community empowerment and there is an expectation for the LA’s and elected members to support community assets too. We understand that the community assets need to be well managed which is our ethos.Barra Children’s Centre is a voluntary organisation run by busy but professional mums. We would welcome the opportunity to sit down with the Education Department and discuss their plans and needs for the future. We feel that the Children’s centre is the best place for the pre-school education in Barra. It is a purpose built facility which, with the provision of extra accommodation for the Croilegan and nursery classes, will remain fit for purpose. Removing nursery provision from the building will without doubt put into jeopardy a highly regarded, well used community asset to the detriment of the pre-school children and families of Barra and Vatersay. Because of this, we would seek to urgently move forward in partnership with the Comhairle to secure external funding to carry out the modifications required to ensure the ongoing suitability of the building and the sustainability of its role within our community. We look forward to hearing from you.Yours sincerelyElaine StewartChairpersonCC: Donald Manford, Joan MacKinnon, Alastair Allan MSP, Angus Brendan MacNeil MP, Jessie MacNeil, Michael Russell MSP

BCC EGM minutes 22/08/11

Minutes - Barra Children's Centre, EGM 22/08/2011, 8pm Barra Children's Centre
Chair: Jessie Macneil & Katie Denehy for the EveningCommittee: Sarah MacLean, Helen Mackinnon (minutes), Eilidh Patterson, Joanne Maclean, Abigail Treffry, Amanda MacQuarrie, Katie DenehyApologies: Elaine Stewart (Chair)31 attendees1) Welcome. Jessie MacNeil started the meeting by explaining that this was an opportunity for parents to openly discuss what is best for our children in terms of Pre-school education on Barra in light of CNES proposals to move it from BCC to the Primary School.2) CNES Proposal. On Monday 09/08/11 Bernard Chisholm from the Education Department informed The Committee and parents about proposals to move out of purpose built pre-school provision from the purpose built BCC to the Primary School In January. He cited cost, space & Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) as his reason for moving. He said consultation would take place in September. It was noted that at no time did CNES meet with the Committee to discuss their requirements.3) Main issues to tackle: Where would parents like pre-school prevision to take place:- Barra Children's Centre or Castlebay Primary School?The Chair suggested looking objectively at the situation & tackled the pro's & con's of moving to the Primary School and staying the BCC. Sarah Maclean noted all these down from the attendees on a flip-chart, starting with the Primary School first.[Please see below for the minutes of Advantages and Disadvantages of both locations.]Outcome on where parents would like pre-school provision to take place:Unanimous vote for pre-school provision to be retained at Barra Children's Centre4) How to satisfy pre-school provision for English, Gaelic and childcare at BCCCommittee had some proposals are as follows:[A] Separate Gaelic & English into morning & afternoon sessions[B] Change building to make more capacity[C] Use outdoor spaceSeparate Gaelic & English into morning & afternoon sessionsAdvantages:-The demand for the Gaelic numbers would be met-The five afternoons would be used effectively as it would be offering childcare to parents five days a week-Create more employment to the nursery staff.-The building as it is can therefore absorb the demand for numbers without knocking down walls which is less time consuming and costly than other options-This proposal could happen quite quickly & can accommodate the demand for more Gaelic spaces-It would in effect create more child care as the pre-school would run for 5 full mornings and 5 afternoons-We have to acknowledge is that every year so many factors vary: parental preference/numbers/wrap-aroundcare etc. This would bring long term stability of careDisadvantages:-Some parents whose children go to English may not be happy that the choice in the mornings is only Gaelic;-It is a compromise.Change building to make more capacityAdvantages:Enhance use of BuildingMore flexible useMore cost effectiveLong term stability for staff & parentsDisadvantages:Can't rely that CNES wouldn't want to move after changes made (would need guarantee)Costs invlovedMay have to loose space for other activities (Cothrom/Mums & Tots)Timescale available to make changesExtend into outdoor spaceAdvantages:Could create more capacityDisadvantages:Costs involved for providing covered areaCannot count on weather especially in WinterHmk stated she had population numbers as follows for numbers of children as an estimate only:Born2007: 17 (start school next August), 2008: 15, 2009: 14, 2010: 62011: 14 (estimate is about 10 with an educated guess of 4 more)The numbers did indicate that capacity would not be a problem after next August, but that we cannot of course account for people moving to Barra etc.Outcome on how to satisfy pre-school provision for English, Gaelic and childcare at BCC26 voted in favour of separating Gaelic & English into morning & afternoon sessions5 abstained due to not having children at the Pre-School or because they declared an interest0 voted against5) Barra Parent proposal to CNESAttendees gave their mandate to the committee to speak to the CNES on their behalf. It was agreed that a letter with the meetings findings would be sent to Bernard Chisholm.6) Next stepsLiase with other local agencies to look at building layout/funding/planning

Primary School:

Barra Children's Centre:
Advantages:-CNES would save money on rent-A complete through school environment-Opportunity to invest in school infrastructureDisadvantages:-Poor accessibility for parents & children whether on foot or with pushchairs-Lack of safe access from the Secondary to Primary school-Poor security-Increased disruption for primary school children-Toilets are not located away from classroom which makes supervision difficult for young children-Poor parking facilities outside primary school-Lack of good green space-Potentially daunting environment for young children-It is unknown whether 2 ½ year olds will be allowed to attend-Inflexible space-It is unknown whether wrap-around care would be provided-Cost to upgrade; (school is due for overall refurbishment 2014?) & that it wasn't going to be a pain free, costefficient move the CNES assumes it is if they are to achieve parity in care & facilities compared with currentpre-school provision
Advantages:-New Purpose built facilities built 10 years ago with support from CNES & National lottery-Good parking facilities-Easy access to building-Accessible toilets & easy to supervise-Bright modern rooms with big windows-Security-Mum's & tots in same location which facilitates transfer to pre-school-HMIE report gave Children's Centre pre-school provision in its current location a good report & it did not leave any reccommendations around the CfE-Cushioned environment-Flexible modular space to accommodate different numbers-Easy accessibility to green spaceDisadvantages:-Is it fit for purpose? Problems with capacity in its current set-up-Comes with rental cost to CNES-Maintenance costs increasing now it is 10 years old (e.g. fencing)

Guth Front Page 16th Dec Children’s Centre or Primary School? The proposal to remove the provision of Pre School education in Castlebay from the Children’s Centre to Castlebay Primary School is to go out for statutory consultation. The report that went to the Education Committee of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar stated that, following the initial meeting with parents in August 2011, Barra Pre-school put forward further solutions to try and address the issue. The report also stated that to date, the Children’s Centre and the Comhairle have not been able to move forward on a permanent solution. Education committee have approved the proposal that the Comhairle go out to statutory consultation on the proposal to move Castlebay School Nursery from the Children’s Centre building to accommodation within Castlebay School’s Primary Department, Isle of Barra. Over the past few years the number of parents requesting Gaelic Medium Pre-school Education has risen within Castlebay. In 2009, it became necessary to apply to Social Care Social Work Inspection Scotland (formerly know as the Care Commission) for a variation to increase the number of children that the group could enrol. Despite this increase in the number of places, by January 2012, there will still be insufficient places to meet demand. To address this issue and to improve the integration of the nursery with the school it is proposed that the nursery moves into two large classrooms within the school. The nursery is currently registered with the regulatory body SCSWIS, for 36 children aged 2.5 years to 5 years. Prior to the construction of the children’s Centre in 2002, pre school education, Gaelic and English, was run by parents in old portacabins close to the school. Following a considerable amount of work and fundraising by parents, sufficient funding was raised with support from Lottery and other grant giving bodies to provide a purpose built Children’s’ Centre, much to the delight of all parents involved and those who became involved since that time. In October 2005, Castlebay School Nursery became a Comhairle run service under the management of the Head Teacher of Castlebay School. At a series of meetings held by the Children’s Centre committee, parents expressed their view that they wished to remain in Barra Children’s Centre and put forward a number of proposals to deal with the difficulties arising with regard to space to meet the demand for Gaelic pre school education. If the move to the Primary School takes place then £62,000 of capital funding would require to be spent on the Primary school building to bring it up to the standard required for pre school education.

Introduction:Pre-School Consultation

Letter to Guth Bharraidh

Letter to Malcolm Burr 09/08/11

BCC EGM minutes 22/08/11

Guth Front Page 16th Dec

Minutes EGM 20110822.pdf

GALLERY

Gallery

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Currently under construction. Visit soon for photos of our P&G Bursary refurbishment project and our reflooring project too!

CONTACT US

Contact Barra Children's Centre

using the form below:

or email: barrachildcentre_btconnect.com or telephone 01871 810890

Company Number: SC196854 Charity Number: SC029076

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