Peckham Rye One O'Clock Club under threat?

[ClaireinSE22]

Some parents may have heard that the Peckham Rye One O'Clock club has lost its funding from April next year - or at least it seems the staff budget has been cut, which means that the service will close unless the local childrens' centres can be persuaded to staff it. It has also been suggested that local parents could run the service - I'm pretty dubious about this because I don't think that parents of young children have the time but far be it for me to say what other parents might be up for! Although these options for keeping it open are still being explored, I don't think we can afford to be complacent and concerned parents should contact their local councillors to express their support for this service. I've attached a letter that I sent myself which can be used as a template - in case that helps anyone pushed for time. You can contact your councillor via email firstname.surname@southwark.gov.uk or c/o Members' Room, 160 Tooley St, SE1 2QH - councillors names follow below.

We'll also be getting a petition together in the near future - so watch this space and please get in touch if you can help distribute it or have any other ideas for helping to guarantee the future of the One O-Clock club at Peckham Rye.

EAST DULWICH

James Barber

Jonathan Mitchell

Rosie Shimell

NUNHEAD

Sunil Copra

Fiona Colley

Althea Smith

PECKHAM RYE

Gavin Edwards

Renata Hamvas

Victoria Mills

THE LANE

Nick Dolezal

Mark Glover

[nikki73]

CLAIRE THANKS FOR DRAWING IT TO OUR ATTENTION.I AM REALLY CROSS ABOUT THIS.THERE ARE HARDLY ANY KIDS ACTIVITIES LEFT IN THE AREA, UNLESS ONE CAN AFFORD TO BOOK CLASSES.

[hpsaucey]

Was wondering if it would be OK to get signatures for your petition outside schools? I could probably drum up a lot of support outside Ivydale for example if the school doesn't mind?

Fingers crossed the children's centres decide to take it on though! I'm more than willing to help, but it would take a lot of dedication and organisation from a fair number of individuals to run it and I suspect most parents like me who would be willing are pretty busy anyway! What would people's responsibility be for example for First Aid/Health and Safety etc. be if they were opening it?

Helen

[Renata Hamvas]

There is a meeting on Wednesday 16th November at the One O clock club at 2.15pm to discuss the Club.

I shall be there, as shall the Cabinet member for Children's Services, Cllr Catherine McDonald. Others may also be attending,

Renata

[Gussy]

Hi Renata, really pleased there is a meeting going ahead. Do you know how long it will go on for? 2.15pm is not a great time for me as my kids nap in the afternoon. Could make it down for 3pm at a push. Also more than happy to attend evening meetings, once little ones are not around so I can concentrate fully! Thanks

[ClaireinSE22]

Hi Helen,

I heard from another Mum who met with Renata that Southwark would fund training for parents in first aid and cover the cost of CRB checks. But I agree that it would be a big commitment from a number of individuals and yourself aside (well done for being so public spirited!) I just don't know of anyone else who has expressed an interest in doing this. Maybe Renata, some Mums/Dads have approached you about running the club? but of the parent's I've spoken to about this (admittedly, just people I know - not a massive public consultation!) I've not found anyone who could manage it. I'm really gonna struggle to get to this one off meeting - let alone making a regular commitment to helping run the club.

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi Gussy and Claire, this meeting will be from 2.15-3.15pm, but there will be a follow up next month, this one will be in the evening or on a weekend, depending on what is best for local residents and on a day the the Peckham Rye Councillors don't already have a meeting.

Renata

[AlexLove]

Hi, how about proposing that One clock club starts charging a couple of pounds for entry? Would that help them with finances? This may reduce the amount of funding needed from the government and the government may fund the gap?

I would love to go more often myself, but my little one normally naps from 1 to 3...

[minder]

Surely it is defeating the object to keep the club open if Southwark offer to pay for first aid courses and crb checks for parents? I don't think this would happen because Southwark are already making hidden cutbacks in childrens services.

Paying for staff is the best option for one o'clock clubs as they are professionals. I don't think putting parents in this position (good intentions aside) would be a good idea.

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi Alexlove,

the option to charge for entry to the One O Clock Club was discussed with us, the Ward Councillors, however it costs 6 pounds per child per session, and therefore, we gave this option the (td) as we felt it would mean many parents couldn't afford to use the facility.

Hi Minder, we had 34 million cut from our grant from the Government. This means that every department has seen a budget cut. In the case of Children's Services, many things were supported by specific grants from the government that have been slashed in addition to the above main grant cut (eg homework club funding). Much of Children's services spending is inflexible, particularly for example in Child protection spending. This means there isn't much flexibility for extra things. The one O clock clubs are not a drop off service, parents are fully responsible for their children during their visit. The Children's Centres have remained funded and 2 One O clock clubs are to be run by Chilren's Centres from next April. This is why this is an option being looked at for Peckham Rye. Even if this option takes place, we would still like to have a Parent's Committee in place to input into how the club is run. The Capitial funds for the rebuilding of the club has been allocated, but this cannot be used for anything else except the building.

Renata

[dondini]

Hi Renata,

Thanks for your updates, a parents committee is a good idea so the club can be tailored to the needs of those who use it. I would be very interested in being part of this. We could discuss this at the meeting on wednesday.

Claire - thanks for keeping this thread going

Donna.

[minder]

Hi Renata - I know the one o'clock clubs are not a drop-off service for parents. I used one for years, both as a parent and a registered childminder, and sadly it closed summer just gone (Ruskin Park).

What I was trying to say is that putting parents in charge of a club might not be a good idea. The workers are being paid to do a good job but parents volunteering their time is a different matter. They have their own children to look after etc. and who would do the teas/coffees/juices/biscuits and activities e.g. art/crafts/painting etc?

It sounds like the one o'clock clubs are going to be incorporated into Childrens Centres. If this happens then it won't be the same really as the children's centres run their own schedules. A lot of their activities are not run on a regular basis and exclude a lot of people.

[minder]

Hi dondini - have pm'd you.

[Renata Hamvas]

Hello everyone, I have been told by Southwark's council officers that it is not possible to have a meeting in the One O'clock club during it's opening hours for Health and Safety reasons as parents are supervising their children in a play session. I am still coming down and will talk to parents outside the club and then we can move into the Cafe. An alternative date will be organised.

Sorry for the inconvenience and short notice,

Renata

[Fuschia]

Yes

I used to go to sessions at rye oak children's centre but then the group was changed to referral

Only

I would be surprised if the children's centres had so

Many spare staff they could run thd ond o'clock clubs too!

[ClaireinSE22]

Dear Minder and Fuschia,

When some of us met with Renata yesterday, she did assure us that whichever children's centre runs the club, they would be maintaining the existing opening hours and only using the building for their own purposes in the mornings and evenings i.e. whenever club not running. Anyhooo - we don't know if they will go for it - so we MAY still have a big fight on our hands to keep the club going. Watch this space.

[quichel]

Hi all,

just to say that I'm watching this space and will try to involve myself in the campaign to keep the invaluable One O'Clock Club open. I for one really need it and never cease to be grateful that it's there.

I was at the meeting with Renata on Wednesday so I know some of the issues, and I can also put a few names to faces thanks to everyone declaring who they are behind their forum pen-names. I should declare that I was the tall one on Renata's side of the playground fence!

A neighbour of mine told me that she used to go to the One O'Clock Club as a kid, making it at least 30 years old. Does anyone know exactly how long it's been running? I know the one on Hampstead Heath was threatened with closure a few years back and saved thanks to a vociferous campaign. It is possible.

Rachel

twitter: @glorioususe

[Hollysmum]

Thank you Claire for bringing this up - its a really important resource and I've sent an email to Rowenna Davies about it and sent on to other local mums. I will keep up to date and try to get involved!

Do agree with everyone on here about local mums staffing it - think it would be unreliable as our own children come first. Also sort of assumes no dads use the service - which of course they do. And training, safety, CRB etc etc ... It would be a big job to manage.

I've found the club invaluable since having my second - pretty much the only place other than home where i can breastfeed indoors in the afternoon while my eldest is secure and can't go running off while I'm busy.