The NECIP E-Bulletin

Snowdrops in my garden are surely a first sign of Spring? All I can see is rain though!! Just as well there's lots going on for children and young people to keep them happy and busy!

February half-term offered 7 varied activities, with over 200 places taken up by 120 children. Following the gym session, three children were identified as having potential and Kali (GymStarS) will be in touch with parents shortly. Without the holiday activities on offer, these future gymnasts may never have been discovered! The feedback from children who attended was very positive and it was lovely to see happy, engaged children obviously having great fun.

Easter holiday activities will be offered during the second week, 12th to 16th April, of the holidays (with just a couple of physical activities during the first week) as Cosham Baptist Church runs its hugely popular holiday club 'Rocky's Plaice' in the first week 6th to 9th April.

After school activities continue to be popular. I attended a wonderful 'mask making and movement' performance at Solent Infant School recently that NECIP commissioned Pompey Stars to deliver. Pompey Stars will be offering more after school activities and there will be a range of sports and creative arts courses starting before the end of term and during the summer term. Please check the calendar page which will be updated shortly.

A new marketing campaign is underway to get more families using Extended Services. To help raise awareness of the range of activities, services and advice available radio and press adverts are promoting the range of services available.

Commenting on the campaign, Children's Minister Dawn Primarolo said:

'Extended services are a fantastic way for parents and families to access a range of activities, support and advice in a quick and easy way. I hope that our new campaign will help even more families use and benefit from the services on offer in their local area'.

If you know families who don't access what's on offer through the NECIP, please point them in the direction of our website. Promotional cards/flyers will be coming home in the next two weeks.

Parents across the country can now search for childcare providers in their region through one convenient website. The Family Information Directory will include the details of all childcare available to families across England. It shows parents the range of providers, from nurseries to childminders and after-school clubs to children's centres, available in your area. It will also offer mums, dads, grandparents and other carers' information on services and support available to them at every stage in a child's life.

For further information about the activities and services available in the area please contact Louise Barker, Project Worker on 07950 896270 or drop in to The Link.

The two Youth Clubs are still popular and we would love to see more young people attend. Revive at Cosham Baptist Church on Friday evenings 7 - 9 p.m. for 11 - 17 year olds and Highbury Youth Club at Highbury Community Centre 6.30 - 8.30 p.m. for 9 - 14 year olds have lots of activities on offer including Wii, PS3, pool table, table tennis, chillout zone, tuck shop and some extra activities like cheerleading and team building. Highbury is planning to spend their recent funding award on lots of new equipment! Just 50p entry. Encourage your children to come along and have fun with their friends.

Portsdown area Children's Centre is offering a range of activities for families and pre-school children including gym, discovery play, come and sing, messy play and toy library at Highbury Primary School and/or Highbury Community Centre.

Do you know an older person who has no personal transport and may have difficulty getting to and from the shops? Drayton and Farlington Action Group hire school minibuses to offer a Drop'n'Shop door to door service for just £2.50 per round trip.

You may have noticed a 'vacancy' on the website? I have been seconded for 2 days a week as CIP Transition Manager for Portsmouth City Council to explore options for the sustainability of extended services after March 2011 (as funding is not guaranteed after that date). The post advertised is to 'backfill' part of my post until March 2011, and the person appointed will take responsibility for after school and holiday activities. I may be around a little bit less, but you won't notice any difference in delivery.

NECIP Manager
07904 809677
jderham@courtlanejnr.portsmouth.sch.uk
www.necip.co.uk

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