Jamboree facing closure

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JD on May 31, 2011 at 17:51

Please can any one who has young children in Haringey circulate this information as widely as possible to make sure that the council recieves as much feed back as possible. Am surprised no one through the forum seems to have picked this posting up as lots of families use the service ( Play Hut is in Finsbury Park)

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Permalink Reply by Melissa on June 6, 2011 at 21:00

Thanks for alerting us Juliette.  Have sent my irate letter to Jen Johnson - didn't know where to begin - Jamboree is just such an amazing resource, we miss it now the boys are older.  Jamboree must not close!

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Permalink Reply by JD on June 6, 2011 at 21:22

Thanks for sending a letter. We are doing our best. Should be in the Hornsey Journal this week too.

 

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Permalink Reply by Priya on June 4, 2011 at 15:58

A photographer from a local paper wants to take a photo of as many parents/carers and their children (with consent) as possible on Monday June 6th at 11.30 am to use in an article about the potential closure of the playhut. Please be there to show you care!

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Permalink Reply by Josie_jo on June 24, 2011 at 15:51

I have just had the following reply from a local councillor and have replied saying that the major benefit of Jamboree is that it is a drop in facility so making it impossible to acess the early years money which is only for over 3s in a statutory setting (as far as I know). Unless there is a way of linking this with a centre that is eligible for the EY grant I am not sure this would be an option.

 

Hi
have now had an answer to my query about funding- the answer is there is no money but they are still consulting!
see below.
Would it be possible to think of restructuring so the hut could take advantage of the early years money she refers to?
if you want to meet me to discuss am happy to do so.
All the best
Katherine

Cllr Katherine Reece
LibDem Stroud Green


RESPONSE FROM COUNCIL:

MEMBER'S ENQUIRY LBH.91696 - PROPOSED CLOSURE OF THE JAMBOREE PLAYHUT - FEEDBACK
Haines Marie on behalf of Doust Jan
Sent:    24 June 2011 12:37
To:     
Cllr Reece Katherine
Cc:     
Children's Service Members; White Frances

Cllr Reece,

 

Thank you for your email dated 10 June 2011 in which you asked about the proposals to cut funding to the Jamboree Play Hut and whether the provision is likely to be saved by the new Early Years money. [Our reference LBH91696]

 

I am assuming that, your reference to ‘new Early Years money’ is about the Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF), which was introduced from April 2011 and provides the mechanism for funding the free entitlement to 15 hours per week of nursery education for 3 and 4 year olds. One impact of this formula funding has been to improve the levels of funding for private, voluntary and community sector providers of early education. Unfortunately, the Jamboree Play Hut provision is a drop-in service and does not meet the criteria for funding through the EYSFF.

 

The Jamboree Play Hut, located within Finsbury Park has, until the 31 March 2011, been supported through Extended Services grant funding. This grant funding has now ceased and the Children and Young People’s service no longer has the funding required to keep Jamboree open unless alternatives ways can be found to meet the costs of running the service.

 

We have asked parents and other service users their views by the 17 June 2011 and are now collating these as well as exploring alternative options with Stroud Green School. We intend to consult parents further on proposed options but have informed parents that if we are unable to find new ways to meet the costs of these services by the end of the summer term, they will have to close at the end of September 2011.

 

I hope that you are satisfied with my response to your enquiry.  If you need more information please contact: Ngozi Anuforo; Early Years Strategic Manager on 0208 489 4681.

 

Regards,

 

Jan

 

 

 

 

Marie Haines

On Behalf of Jan Doust

Deputy Director – Prevention & Early Intervention

The Children and Young People's Service

London Borough of Haringey

48 Station Roa

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Permalink Reply by JD on June 24, 2011 at 21:27

Thank you for posting this information. Great that you have contacted your local councillor. I am unclear about all the history of Jamboree's funding but know that in the past it was run through volunteers but this proved unsustainable, then it had some 'tri Borough' funding (Hackney, Islington & Haringey) through the Single Regeneration Budget and when this ended Haringey took over full funding. Currently the staff that work there are part of Stroud Green Children's Centre Services and must be part of extended services funding as detailed in your message. This is why the staff from Jamboree also run the Tree tops extended provision at the school for Haringey residents to use before school, afterschool and during holidays for 3-5 year olds ( also threatened with closure). Jamboree, as you correctly state provides a drop in stay & play facilty age 0-5 and would therefore be unable to access the funding for 15 hours for 3-4 year olds because that is used to fund the schools nursery provision. 

 

Sadly it seems that its drop in nature, and location in the park on the border of three Boroughs is  its'problem' when in fact this is a big part of the reason why it is so successful, enabling many families living in this corner of London and not necesarily using other services to drop by when they are in and around the park. I really hope a solution can be found as it seems to be of genuine community benefit to keep it. The part of the Park it is situated in also has quite a history of neglect, and used to be the main drug/alcohol/ prostitution area of the park. If the site is closed up such difficulties may return, especially now the part is so short staffed.

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