Month: February 2016

Birmingham PlayCare Network is planning to hold a series of “unique” Easter Party activities as part of the newly developed ‘Eggstravaganza’.

The event in association with WM Housing Group will take place on Wednesday 30^th March 2016 between 2-4pm at Chelmsley Wood Baptist Church.

Event coordinator and Projects and Fundraising Manager at Birmingham PlayCare Network, Rebecca Coley said:

“We are all looking forward to holding such a fun seasonal event including all of the traditional activities associated with Easter. This is a time that is really about the children, and it’s important that we embrace this and provide the most memorable and stimulating event possible for them.”

The day’s events include an Easter egg treasure hunt, an Easter bonnet parade, Easter wreaths and a ‘Find the lucky egg’ competition amongst many other activities.

For more details contact the Community Involvement Team at WM Housing Group on 0300 790 6560.

BPCN network meetings provide an opportunity for out of school settings to meet with other providers local to their area.

The meetings share best practice as well as hold group discussions about policies and other information relevant to both local and national activity within the play care sector.

Covering four areas of Birmingham

Covering the four areas of Birmingham, twenty-four settings attended the first round of network meetings held this year. Discussions were held around finances (parents paying), open-ended resources, Ofsted – not being consistent with inspections for different settings, Ofsted checklist safeguarding – when parents bring other people with them when collecting their children as well as the early years health and wellbeing consultation document.

The next meeting

Topics for the next meetings will be directed by new information that BPCN has to share about the local picture for early years provision. For example encouraging settings to attend WRAP training, BPCN workshops as well as use of the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board website. The East network meeting has organised for a PC from the local neighbourhood watch team who is giving advice on safety.

Kate from Sunshine Club based in St. Joseph’s RC Primary School attended the network meeting for the north:

“The session was a positive experience for me, it was a welcoming atmosphere that allowed us all to talk, and be heard. With so many changes happening it was nice to have the support and the opportunity for my voice to be heard outside of my own club”

If any settings are happy to host the network meetings then we welcome the opportunity, please either contact your project worker or contact Gill, Birmingham PlayCare Network Administrator at gill@bpcn.org.uk or 0121 236 2917.

Ellee Gunnell, Project Worker at Birmingham PlayCare Network.

A group of third sector organisations in the West Midlands have recently partnered up to launch the initiative ‘Active Birchfield’, providing free outdoor play activities in school holidays and weekends between March and August for children aged five and over.

The collaboration involves community development project ‘Birchfield Big Local’; uniting the passions, aspirations and skills of individuals, groups and organisations to make the Birchfield area a better place to live and work, environmental regeneration charity ‘Groundwork West Midlands’; working in deprived areas to improve disadvantaged communities, and finally Birmingham PlayCare Network.

Rebecca Coley, Projects and Fundraising Manager at Birmingham PlayCare Network said:

“This is a real joint effort between this group of organisations in the West Midlands. It’s great to see this partnership develop with individuals and groups adopting the same vision for improving play experiences for children, and consequently improving the future of the local community.”

Funding and support

The initiative also includes funding and support from the Big Lottery Fund and leading UK housing, care and support business ‘Midland Heart’.

All of the sessions will be held at Birchfield Secret Garden and take place on the following dates:

(Easter Holidays)

29^th and 31^st March, 13:00 – 16:30

5^th and 7^th April, 13:00 – 16:30

(Term Time Sessions)

16^th and 30^th April, 12:00-15:30

14^th and 28^th May, 12:00-15:30

11^th and 25^th June, 12:00-15:30

9^th and 23^rd July, 12:00-15:30

(Summer Holidays)

9^th – 12^th August, 13:00 – 16:30

To book a session please contact Birmingham PlayCare Network on: 0121 236 2917.