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We are asking you to partner with us to transform the lives of children and families in Cutteslowe! Sunnymead Minnows is the only completely free, open-access, full-year provision for children under 5 and their families. We work hard to ensure that no new parents or families have to travel the journey of parenthood alone; increasing development and school readiness in children under 5 and reducing loneliness and isolation for parents and carers.
What We Do:
Sunnymead Minnows works to create a diverse and dynamic programme of drop-in sessions and activities designed specifically to encourage all aspects of early year development for children under 5 through dynamic free play lead by our experienced Leader. All sessions aim to promote children’s development and school readiness while empowering carers to feel happy and confident in their roles and relationships with their children. Our sessions are great places to meet other parents and make friends, helping to build vital support networks; reducing loneliness and isolation for new parents. We introduce little ones to a variety of songs, stories, shadow puppets, sign language, and play opportunities, and offer a free, weekly healthy lunch after Stay & Play on Thursdays. We also offer Forest School sessions in Cutteslowe Primary School’s fantastic outdoor space once every half term, and monthly Messy Play sessions on the last Friday of every month in Cutteslowe Park.
Our sessions run from Tuesdays to Fridays during term time. In the holidays we deliver special activities to promote active play, literacy, art and a curiosity and respect for the natural world around us.
The History:
In 2016 our community was devastated when North Oxford Children’s Centre was one of the 36 children’s Centres closed across the County; leaving the local area with no provision for children under 5 and their families. As a community Centre and School we did not feel like this was good enough! Thus in 2017; Sunnymead Minnows was created to ensure that no new parents or families with small children were forced to travel the journey of early parenthood alone!
Why is it Important?:
HRH Princess of Wales has championed research highlighting the importance of early years education; studies since COVID-19 show the devastating impact the pandemic has had on a generation of children. 90% of brain development happens by the age of 5; this development is determined by the experiences and relationships children establish in that time. In a recent survey we found that 80% of our users do not attend any other form of childcare provision. Help us to ensure that our children are given the brightest start possible!
Who?
Minnows is delivered in Partnership between Cutteslowe Community Centre and Primary School; working closely and communicating regularly to adapt our provision to try and bridge emerging development gaps in Nursery/Reception years. We provide the only COMPLETELY FREE, open access, full-year provision for children under 5 and their families locally making it accessible to the most vulnerable within our community!
Why Should You Help?
Though one-off donations are always gratefully received; we receive no direct funding from local Government etc and what would truly ensure the sustainable delivery of this vital provision would be a monthly, quarterly or annual Direct Debit of whatever you are able to give!
If you share our vision of transforming the lives of children and their families living locally we would love you to join us in supporting this vital provision in whatever way you can!
Thank you for whatever support you can give!
Cutteslowe Community Centre
For more information visit our website: https://cutteslowecommunity.org.uk/sunnymeade-minnows/
What our users say about Minnows:
“As a new, first time Mum I became very isolated early on. When I discovered the Children’s Centre it was completely transformative for me. I had friends again! When my second child came along 3 years later in 2018 I was lucky enough to stumble upon Minnows which welcomed myself and both of my young children with open arms. It provided me with much needed routine and my children the opportunity to socialise with their peers virtually on our doorstep! I cannot oversell the difference made to our lives and my sanity by both groups!” – Local Parent and Minnows User
"It's wonderful to enable children to engage in new experiences."... Sunnymead Minnows "helps nurture children's wellbeing and fosters a commitment to lifelong learning." - Local Parent, Teacher and Minnows User
"After moving to the UK from Albania with no English my 4yr old non-verbal son was diagnosed with severe autism. I quickly became isolated and depressed. A neighbour suggested my children and I come to Minnows with her.It has changed my life. I now volunteer at Minnows, have friends, attend weekly ESOL classes at CCA and am much happier and more confident. My son is now attending Cutteslowe Primary and has started to speak" - Local Parent and Minnows User
"Following my maternity leave; I structured my working week and my child's nursery days around the Minnows timetable to ensure that he could still attend Stay and Play and Tiny Town as I feel that these groups have been so valuable for us both and provides him with opportunities for development not present at nursery." - Local Parent and Minnows User