It all got very spooky today at our Hallowe’en event at Oscar’s Cafe at the Hope Centre today! Netti, Di and Claire had baked lots of ghoulish delights and can be seen below with the Mayor and Mayoress of Bromyard who popped in to say hallo.  The cafe was full of ghouls, monsters, draculas, as well as pumpkins and bats.  A huge thanks to everyone who came along and also to Heidi and Karen who organised all the activities and Treasure Hunt and who can be seen here with Roger and Claire.  We are delighted to say that they will also be officially opening our Christmas Fayre on 28th November.

We’d like to thank everyone who came along and hope to see you at the Glazydayz event on 12^th November and our annual Christmas Fayre on 28^th November (Don’t forget to get your raffle tickets!).

Ladybird Room

Our new reading garden in the Ladybird room is being used to its full potential. The children are really enjoying the books and story times with the staff.

Caterpillar Room

Raising money for Oscar @Hope – We all wore red at the centre including the children. In the Caterpillar room the children explored the colour red too!

Preschool Room

Our Preschool visit to the Gruffalo Trail at Queenwood was very, very wet but we did have so much fun in the rain and splashing in the muddy puddles!

(Thank you to Bromyard Community Transport for taking us)

The Hope Centre has enjoyed the start to the new term and has welcomed new children to the department. Managed by Rachel Cross, our nursery and pre-school is passionate about providing every child with opportunities for learning and play. The Early Years team has been working hard over the summer to develop new book corners and communication friendly spaces in all rooms.

A child that is given access to books and mark making materials and has the support of a parent/carer or older family member has the opportunity to develop the building blocks for language, reading and writing development. The newly redesigned Soft Play area has also benefitted from the introduction of new books and a reading corner. We are thrilled that everyone loves the new toys and the newly created areas for their children!

We are very proud of the team that work in the department and feel very fortunate to have a highly committed and caring staff team. We also have 3 students on placement with us as part of their college courses. Thomas, who used to study at the QE, has returned to us this term as part of his Early Years college course and has decided he has found his true vocation. He and I had a chat the other day about his work here and I asked him what he thinks about working as an EY practitioner: “When I decided to take Childcare I was not sure it was right for me; I was told it was gruelling work without rewards and that it would leave anyone drained. But being at the Hope Centre has made me realise that not only is the work amazing fun but it’s also something I am proud to do. Thanks to the Hope Centre I have the confidence I need with the children and I am now sure it is the career I want to pursue, and a career I cannot encourage enough people at least to have a go at.” Thomas, EY Placement student.