Horniman - Busy Bees - possibly stopping due to cuts

[CJRB]

Hi

I wanted to alert you to a conversation we had with staff at the Horniman last week. It sounds as if they are considering stopping (or reducing) the brilliant 'Busy Bees' sessions on Friday mornings. Personally, we think that they are a fantastic resource for under-5s and a terrific way of getting to hear songs and stories from around the world (often with 'props' from the museum's collection). However with budgetary restrictions hitting hard, it might be that we'll lose it.

Can I suggest that if you feel strongly that you value these sessions, that you email Georgina Pope, the Community Learning Manager, at the Horniman. She said that they need to take parents' views into account when deciding what to prioritise for the coming year (which of course,financially, starts next week!). Her email address is gpope@horniman.ac.uk

If you have any useful suggestions for them, I'm sure that will come across as a positive message. For example, the sessions are currently free & very oversubscribed. I wonder whether parents would be willing and able to pay ?1 per child (as they do for the Aquarium there now) in order to secure the Storytime slot? More ideas gratefully received.

What do you think?

[Otta]

This would be especially bad for people in Sydenham / Forest Hill, as quite a few groups seem to be closing due to the cuts.

[Bluemum]

I think paying a little entry fee for it (?1-2) would be very fair!

[Cora]

It could always be a 'donation' of a ?1 and they could see if those paying covers costs.

[sophiechristophy]

just emailed. I LOVE busy bees. I've been taking my daughter since she was about 4 months old. I pray they don't cut it :(

[anna_r]

just emailed

[prm]

I also emailed earlier today..fingers crossed

[sophiechristophy]

For those who love busybees at the Horniman- apparently attendance numbers have been low over the last few weeks, so don't forget to go if you want it to continue :)

[zeban]

I think a donation is the right thing to do. to charge isn't good. ?1 may seem little to you but for low income families who have more than one child it really adds up if you're already living on a very tight budget.

[Didster]

I went this week and the museum staff asked us to please fill in their survery - see https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XK37JPP

It would be such a shame if they stopped this session......