Pre-school unit marks building’s birthday

To make it a day to remember, there will be cake, balloons and The Purple Pig Company with its mobile farm to entertain children and adults alike.

Stephanie Meli, outgoing chairman of the Riccall Pre-school voluntary management committee said: “After five years in the position, it is great to be ending my chairmanship on a high note – celebrating the first year in our very own building.

“It’s very satisfying after all the hard work put in by the committee and staff over the past three or four years, that I am handing over a thriving early years setting that I have no doubt will continue to grow and be developed by its committed staff and be supported by the parents of the children who attend this fabulous pre-school.”

In order to turn dreams into reality, Riccall Pre-school worked closely with Futurebuilders England which resulted in an investment of £160,000 to support the purchase of new premises on the primary school site.

Tracey McWilliam, Riccall Pre-school’s Manager, said: “The funding we received has enabled us to develop our dream.

“Having our very own building has already allowing us to really expand and build on certain areas and themes for the children to explore, allowing them to discover new things every day.

“We are now able to offer morning, afternoon or all day sessions Monday to Friday to children aged between two and a half and five years old. We even run a foundation stage breakfast club from 8-9am.”

“Not even the 11 pipes that burst during the Christmas holidays and all the mopping up we had to do of our eight-month-old building, could even dampen our spirits.”

Riccall Pre-school also received a grant of £50,000 from North Yorkshire’s Early Years and Childcare Service.