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Damon O’Reilly leads the way for men in childcare Date:03/02/2010 11:46:28
Newly qualified Childcare Apprentice, Damon O’Reilly leads the way for men in childcare 20 year old Damon O’Reilly and his colleagues are delighted as he becomes the first ever male apprentice to qualify in childcare at Rosy Apple’s Little Achievers @ Ribbleton Children’s Centre nursery in Preston, Lancashire. After starting his working life as an apprentice bricklayer, Damon took the life changing decision to transfer to childcare because he had always wanted to work with children having had lots of experience minding his young cousins whilst at school. He says: “I took up bricklaying initially because that’s what all my mates were doing and members of my family had also been in the trade. Although I’d always fancied working with children, I’d been worried about how my friends would react but, realising I really should follow my dream, I took the plunge and haven’t looked back since.” Damon had to persist in his attempts to be taken on as a nursery nurse and was thrilled when Rosy Apple’s MD, Sharon Alexander, offered him the chance to be an apprentice and work towards his NVQ level 2 in childcare. College was a challenge and Damon had to work hard but he found everyone to be very helpful and didn’t mind being the only male in the class! He says he’s always got on well with women and really enjoys working in a nursery setting. Damon’s delighted by the warm welcome he’s had from the Little Achievers children, their parents and colleagues; parents often tell him they’d like to see more men working in childcare. Pleased with Damon’s successful transfer into childcare, Sharon Alexander says: ”He is a superb role model for our children who really enjoy having a man to relate to – they especially love the football sessions he organises. We’re also very proud that he’s gained his NVQ Level 2 in just 10-months, which is a great achievement.” Sharon adds: “Damon has established a great rapport with the children, their parents and the staff team too, and I would definitely recommend that childcare employers consider taking on more men. Damon is definitely influencing the way everyone at Rosy Apple thinks about childcare, helping us all to see that looking after children is a suitable job for men as well as women.” Rosy Apple Childcare has a long established commitment to apprentices. Sharon Alexander is a founder member of the prestigious North West Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network and in the 2009 Apprenticeship Awards, Rosy Apple Childcare was highly commended in the Medium Employer of the Year Award category. In 2008, Hajra Dawood, an apprentice at Little Achievers @ Headstart Nursery was Lancashire’s Apprentice of the Year and Rosy Apple also won the Performance Through People Award in the 2008 BIBAs. Established in November 2003 with a 39 place day nursery, Rosy Apple has grown steadily since then and now offers almost 300 places in Preston and Blackburn. Nurseries in the group are: Little Achievers Day Nursery, Chatburn Road, Ribbleton; Little Achievers @ Headstart Nursery, Herschell Street; Headstart Pre-School Centre, Bow Lane; Little Achievers @Ribbleton Children’s Centre and Blackburn’s Little Achievers @ Country Fields Nursery – more details available at www.rosyapplechildcare.com	Zoom +

Damon O’Reilly leads the way for men in childcare Date:03/02/2010 11:46:28

Newly qualified Childcare Apprentice, Damon O’Reilly leads the way for men in childcare

20 year old Damon O’Reilly and his colleagues are delighted as he becomes the first ever male apprentice to qualify in childcare at Rosy Apple’s Little Achievers @ Ribbleton Children’s Centre nursery in Preston, Lancashire.

After starting his working life as an apprentice bricklayer, Damon took the life changing decision to transfer to childcare because he had always wanted to work with children having had lots of experience minding his young cousins whilst at school. He says: “I took up bricklaying initially because that’s what all my mates were doing and members of my family had also been in the trade. Although I’d always fancied working with children, I’d been worried about how my friends would react but, realising I really should follow my dream, I took the plunge and haven’t looked back since.”

Damon had to persist in his attempts to be taken on as a nursery nurse and was thrilled when Rosy Apple’s MD, Sharon Alexander, offered him the chance to be an apprentice and work towards his NVQ level 2 in childcare.

College was a challenge and Damon had to work hard but he found everyone to be very helpful and didn’t mind being the only male in the class! He says he’s always got on well with women and really enjoys working in a nursery setting.

Damon’s delighted by the warm welcome he’s had from the Little Achievers children, their parents and colleagues; parents often tell him they’d like to see more men working in childcare.

Pleased with Damon’s successful transfer into childcare, Sharon Alexander says: ”He is a superb role model for our children who really enjoy having a man to relate to – they especially love the football sessions he organises. We’re also very proud that he’s gained his NVQ Level 2 in just 10-months, which is a great achievement.”

Sharon adds: “Damon has established a great rapport with the children, their parents and the staff team too, and I would definitely recommend that childcare employers consider taking on more men. Damon is definitely influencing the way everyone at Rosy Apple thinks about childcare, helping us all to see that looking after children is a suitable job for men as well as women.”

Rosy Apple Childcare has a long established commitment to apprentices. Sharon Alexander is a founder member of the prestigious North West Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network and in the 2009 Apprenticeship Awards, Rosy Apple Childcare was highly commended in the Medium Employer of the Year Award category. In 2008, Hajra Dawood, an apprentice at Little Achievers @ Headstart Nursery was Lancashire’s Apprentice of the Year and Rosy Apple also won the Performance Through People Award in the 2008 BIBAs.

Established in November 2003 with a 39 place day nursery, Rosy Apple has grown steadily since then and now offers almost 300 places in Preston and Blackburn. Nurseries in the group are: Little Achievers Day Nursery, Chatburn Road, Ribbleton; Little Achievers @ Headstart Nursery, Herschell Street; Headstart Pre-School Centre, Bow Lane; Little Achievers @Ribbleton Children’s Centre and Blackburn’s Little Achievers @ Country Fields Nursery – more details available at www.rosyapplechildcare.com

Damon O’Rielly
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reduced opening hours Little Achievers @ Countryfields Nursery 14th January 2010 Date:13/01/2010 18:32:09
Wednesday 13th January 2010 Dear Parent, Due to circumstances beyond our control, the nursery will have to close at 12 noon tomorrow 14th January 2010. The reason for this is due to our notification by United utilities that the electricity supply to the nursery will be suspended from 9am – 4.30pm tomorrow. On discussion with United Utilities, we have been informed that there is a major electrical project underway in the area which has already commenced. We have been informed that the work may proceed longer than 4.30pm, depending on the weather. The Health and Safety of your children remains paramount to us and the decision to close early has not been taken lightly. However, the central heating system is dependent on an electrical supply; we will heat the nursery to a maximum over night up until 9.00am when the power will be discontinued. The Emergency Fire Alarm and Protection system has a three hour battery backup, we have conferred with our Fire Safety consultants to see if we can achieve backup for a longer period of time, however we have been advised that this is not possible. As the electricity supply will stop at 9am, the fire protection and alarm system will work until 12 noon. As you can appreciate we cannot operate safely without fire safety equipment, adequate lighting and without adequate central heating. As you can appreciate this situation is beyond our control, the number to contact at United utilities with any questions or complaints is: 0800 195 4141 In respect of our customers, I have authorised a refund for childcare costs incurred during the afternoon closure at Countryfields on 14th January . If your child attends for the afternoon only, we can arrange a morning placement if required – please see Natalie to arrange. Again, we can offer full day care at any of our Preston Nurseries. Please contact the Lead Professional directly to arrange this care: 1. Little Achievers Day Nursery , Preston PR2 6BJ : Emma 01772 704664 2. Little Achievers @ Ribbleton Children’s Centre PR2 6EE : Linda 01772 794846 3. Little Achievers @ Headstart Nursery PR1 3QU: Kate 01772 201004 4. Headstart Pre-School Centre LCC Workplace Crèche (LCC , NHS and Local authority Employees only) next to County Hall PR1 8ND: Deborah 01772 561973 All of these nurseries regularly carry out emergency childcare: the staff being familiar with the differing needs of a child on short term emergency placement. We expect to open as usual on Friday 15th January thank you for your patience and understanding

reduced opening hours Little Achievers @ Countryfields Nursery 14th January 2010 Date:13/01/2010 18:32:09

Wednesday 13th January 2010

Dear Parent,

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the nursery will have to close at 12 noon tomorrow 14th January 2010.

The reason for this is due to our notification by United utilities that the electricity supply to the nursery will be suspended from 9am – 4.30pm tomorrow. On discussion with United Utilities, we have been informed that there is a major electrical project underway in the area which has already commenced. We have been informed that the work may proceed longer than 4.30pm, depending on the weather.

The Health and Safety of your children remains paramount to us and the decision to close early has not been taken lightly. However, the central heating system is dependent on an electrical supply; we will heat the nursery to a maximum over night up until 9.00am when the power will be discontinued. The Emergency Fire Alarm and Protection system has a three hour battery backup, we have conferred with our Fire Safety consultants to see if we can achieve backup for a longer period of time, however we have been advised that this is not possible. As the electricity supply will stop at 9am, the fire protection and alarm system will work until 12 noon. As you can appreciate we cannot operate safely without fire safety equipment, adequate lighting and without adequate central heating.

As you can appreciate this situation is beyond our control, the number to contact at United utilities with any questions or complaints is: 0800 195 4141 In respect of our customers, I have authorised a refund for childcare costs incurred during the afternoon closure at Countryfields on 14th January . If your child attends for the afternoon only, we can arrange a morning placement if required – please see Natalie to arrange.

Again, we can offer full day care at any of our Preston Nurseries. Please contact the Lead Professional directly to arrange this care:
1. Little Achievers Day Nursery , Preston PR2 6BJ : Emma 01772 704664
2. Little Achievers @ Ribbleton Children’s Centre PR2 6EE : Linda 01772 794846
3. Little Achievers @ Headstart Nursery PR1 3QU: Kate 01772 201004
4. Headstart Pre-School Centre LCC Workplace Crèche (LCC , NHS and Local authority Employees only) next to County Hall PR1 8ND: Deborah 01772 561973
All of these nurseries regularly carry out emergency childcare: the staff being familiar with the differing needs of a child on short term emergency placement.

We expect to open as usual on Friday 15th January
thank you for your patience and understanding

Little Achievers @ Countryfields Nursery 12/01/10 Date:12/01/2010 16:13:29
Currently Little Achievers @ Countryfields Nursery will be open fully on Wednesday 13th January, however risk assessments will be carried out throughout the day In the interest of Health and Safety however, the nursery track and grounds must not be used by any vehicles - pedestrian access to the nursery only .On arrival at the nursery track, staff will be available to help you take your children down the track and to bring children back to your car. If there is no staff member at the end of the track, please ring the nursery (01254 246712) and one will be with you shortly after Discussion has been held with the owner of the farm track, the access road to nursery. Permission has been granted to access the track to clear the snow, with maximum plant weight considerations also having to be taken in to account. The snow clearance will be carried out by a local farmer soon. The local farmer is experiencing problems with the milking equipment on his dairy farm (due to freezing) however he has promised to attend to the track as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and co-operation with this matter.

Little Achievers @ Countryfields Nursery 12/01/10 Date:12/01/2010 16:13:29

Currently Little Achievers @ Countryfields Nursery will be open fully on Wednesday 13th January, however risk assessments will be carried out throughout the day In the interest of Health and Safety however, the nursery track and grounds must not be used by any vehicles - pedestrian access to the nursery only .On arrival at the nursery track, staff will be available to help you take your children down the track and to bring children back to your car. If there is no staff member at the end of the track, please ring the nursery (01254 246712) and one will be with you shortly after

Discussion has been held with the owner of the farm track, the access road to nursery. Permission has been granted to access the track to clear the snow, with maximum plant weight considerations also having to be taken in to account. The snow clearance will be carried out by a local farmer soon. The local farmer is experiencing problems with the milking equipment on his dairy farm (due to freezing) however he has promised to attend to the track as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and co-operation with this matter.

Little Achievers @ Countryfields Nursery - 18.55 11/01/10 Date:12/01/2010 16:12:07
Currently Little Achievers @ Countryfields Nursery will be open fully on Tuesday 12th January, however risk assessments will be carried out throughout the day In the interest of Health and Safety however, the nursery track must not be used by any vehicles - pedestrian access to the nursery only .On arrival at the nursery track, staff will be available to help you take your children down the track and to bring children back to your car. If there is no staff member at the end of the track, please ring the nursery (01254 246712) and one will be with you shortly after Discussion has been held with the owner of the farm track, the access road to nursery. Permission has been granted to access the track to clear the snow, with maximum plant weight considerations also having to be taken in to account. The snow clearance will be carried out by a local farmer soon. The local farmer is experiencing problems with the milking equipment on his dairy farm (due to freezing) however he has promised to attend to the track as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and co-operation with this matter.

Little Achievers @ Countryfields Nursery - 18.55 11/01/10 Date:12/01/2010 16:12:07

Currently Little Achievers @ Countryfields Nursery will be open fully on Tuesday 12th January, however risk assessments will be carried out throughout the day In the interest of Health and Safety however, the nursery track must not be used by any vehicles - pedestrian access to the nursery only .On arrival at the nursery track, staff will be available to help you take your children down the track and to bring children back to your car. If there is no staff member at the end of the track, please ring the nursery (01254 246712) and one will be with you shortly after

Thank you for your patience and co-operation with this matter.

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