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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Haringey Council to axe provision of After School Clubs in the Borough

Haringey Council are to axe all provision of After School Clubs in the Borough. My children attend South Harringay Primary school and use the After School Club at the Falkland Play Centre. This is one of 8 play centres across the borough that the council describe as offering Ofsted approved, safe, reliable and fun childcare during term time and in the school holidays for children aged 4½ to 12 years old throughout the year.

 

However, the council has pulled all support for the centres and will force schools to provide cover instead. I received a letter outlining the proposed removal of support for after school clubs on 11th February 2011, the letter states that if agreed, the proposals would be fully implemented by July 2011 with a transition period between April and June 2011. However, this consultation appears to be a sham as the council has already put in motion plans to stop support by 31st March. This gives parents/carers who rely on after school club very little time to organise an alternative.

 

If the school does not provide cover, the centre will close after 31st March 2011. Regardless of the ridiculously short-time frame, no official communication has been passed on to parents about the potential closure of the After School Clubs. Moreover, is the council acting illegally by pretending to conduct a consultation while at the same time putting in place the plans to remove all provision for After School Clubs? Why go through the motions when the decision has already been made?

Tags for Forum Posts: childcare, public spending cuts

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Birdy_Too on March 10, 2011 at 13:13

I don't think it has Laura. I emailed HAVCO to see if I can attend and whether it is relevant as it was unclear from the post above, their response:

 

Hi 

It is generally on commissioning changes and the VCS. If you are running or involved in a Voluntary or Community group you would be welcome to attend.

Best

Olivia  

Regards

Olivia Darby

 

Permalink Reply by Laura on March 10, 2011 at 13:39
Well, I can answer my own question. I don't think THIS meeting has anything to do with after school/holiday provision run by Haringey Council.
Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on March 10, 2011 at 13:38

As a councillor I always recommend that people start by going through the "front door". The majority of council officers (and councillors too) will do their best to answer straight questions with straight answers — or explain when (and why) they don't have information.

Of course that doesn't prevent 'triangulating' by putting questions to anyone else. For the few incompetent and/or obstructive corners of the Council the second community detective method is essential.

The "cabinet" member whose remit includes Play Centres and After School Clubs is my ward colleague Cllr Lorna Reith. I suggest you write to Lorna with the detailed questions you'd like answered about Playcentres. lorna.reith@haringey.gov.uk

For questions about HAVCO their front door is info@havcoharingey.org.uk.

Permalink Reply by Birdy_Too on March 11, 2011 at 12:11
Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on March 11, 2011 at 12:40

Which adds almost nothing to what people have already posted on HoL.

Not that the Council's webpage about Playcentres and After School Clubs is any more informative.

Permalink Reply by Suziki on March 11, 2011 at 17:21

hello all,

If anyone feels obliged to voice their objection and concern about the cuts to crucial services across our country, you can join manymanymany others on this march on Saturday 26th March

assembling in Victoria Embankment at 11a.m.

 

for further info, pls see http://marchforthealternative.org.uk/why-were-marching/

 and

 

http://www.tuc.org.uk/

 

See you there!

 

Suzi

 

 

Attachments:
Permalink Reply by Birdy_Too on March 11, 2011 at 19:38
I agree Alan but it's front page news and is in the wider community and not just to HOL members.
Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on March 11, 2011 at 22:21
Of course, Birdy. But naively, I still hoped a local newspaper might give a bit more added value.
Permalink Reply by Laura on March 12, 2011 at 21:43

With regard to your second paragraph...

 

the parents at North Harringay Primary School have NOT been told there will be after school or holiday provision provided after Falkland Playcentre closes.

 

 

Permalink Reply by Birdy_Too on March 14, 2011 at 13:19
Parents from NHP have not been told about future provisions nor have we been consulted regarding the closure of the ASC at the Falkland Centre. It seems communication has been very sparse by the authorities, nout new there.

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