Eastcotts Children's Centre
History
Eastcotts Children’s Centre began life as a Mini-SureStart project, SureStart Shortstown. The project had been in the planning stage for a long time and after one or two set backs and false starts, the core staff were appointed and SureStart Shortstown finally opened its doors to local parents and carers in September 2003.
The main problem had been finding suitable premises in the village and it wasn’t until house builders Bellway Homes offered the use of temporary premises on what had been RAF Cardington that the problem was resolved. Building 17, whilst not the most beautiful of buildings, proved to be just fine inside if a trifle chilly in the winter. Visitors found it hard to believe that a thriving Children’s Centre was hidden away behind such an austere and at first sight, derelict, façade.
In the meantime the issue of permanent premises was high on the agenda. The original plan was to be part of a joint building project alongside the new village hall but planning difficulties made this impossible. It was then decided to construct a building in the grounds of Shortstown Lower School. After many delays, the Centre moved to its shiny new building in June 2006. This has proved to be an excellent situation enabling good relations to be established with both the school and pre-school. Sadly, this is still only a temporary solution as with the development of RAF Cardington a new school will be built so watch this space!
We had the pleasure of inviting Councillor Rita Drinkwater and Master Harry Jarvis to officially open the building on 2nd November 2006. Harry was the first baby whose mum had been looked after throughout her pregnancy by the SureStart Shortstown midwife, Liz Tye
One-off Activities
Summer Trip
Each year the Centre organises a summer trip just before the schools break up for the holiday, generally to Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes but in more recent years to Whipsnade Zoo. Everyone enjoys these days out and sometimes it's the only time some of our families can manage a day out together.
Shocott Spring
Situated midway between Shortstown and Cotton End, Shocott Spring is a new community woodland managed by the Forest of Marston Vale. Transport was organised to take families to the wood for the day where they were met by Marston Vale staff who introduced adults and children alike to the pleasures of a day in the country. The families were able to identify the young trees growing there and also went on a bug hunt.
Eastcotts by the Sea
A new venture introduced in 2007 and held every year since is Eastcotts by the Sea day, held during the summer holiday. Here in rural Bedfordshire we are about as far from the sea as you can get so we solved the problem by bringing the sea to Shortstown in the form of paddling pools and lots of sand. The Centre staff always hope for fine weather since the majority of the activities are planned for the garden. Typically this is not always the case but we have never let a little bit of rain or chilly weather put us off. Lunch is always fish and chips followed by ice-cream.
