Riverside Primary School welcomes early birds

Riverside Primary School is pushing back the clock and expanding the services it provides to help parents manage work patterns better.

The school already runs a successful breakfast club and has an independently-run after school club on site. In response to requests from parents, the hours of these services are being extended, paving the way for an influx of new parents as the new school building nears completion.

During the last 18 months, the children, staff and parents have seen the old Hunderton Junior School demolished and a new, modern building emerge like a phoenix out of the ashes.

The new school building is nearly finished and parents eager to make sure their children benefit from the new facilities have been signing up for the dedicated purpose-built nursery which is designed to maximise play and fun. Learning through play, children from three years of age can enjoy fun-filled stimulating activities provided by well-trained enthusiastic staff.

The nursery will be able to offer nursery sessions in the morning and afternoon and there is a neighbourhood nursery on site able to provide additional hours for parents who are training or who work.

In addition, the breakfast club which has been running successfully for years is now open from 7.30am to help parents who are working shift patterns.

Jim Preston, head teacher at Riverside Primary School, said: "We understand the difficulties some parents have trying to juggle work, school and home. We want to support our families and provide as much help as we can for them all on one site.

"Children need a good start each morning. They need space to relax in or places where they can play. Experience and evidence shows that a healthy nutritious breakfast helps children get the most out of their school day.

"We have listened to our parents and extended the hours of our breakfast club, keeping costs down to a minimum. With all the additional services available at the school, the children's centre and the neighbourhood nursery existing and new parents will be able to access all the support they need to juggle home, school and work."