News

Country life

Providing out-of-school childcare in rural areas can be a tall order, says Jackie Cosh - but problems can be solved through hard work and a bit of imagination When the Somerset Rural Youth Project decided to set up an after-school club in Hambridge, they were faced with a big problem - where to house it.

When the Somerset Rural Youth Project decided to set up an after-school club in Hambridge, they were faced with a big problem - where to house it.

Many of the children use wheelchairs, so good wheelchair access was a necessity. This ruled out the local village hall. Other avenues were bringing them to a dead end, until a local farmer stepped in - why not use one of his disused cowsheds?

The building certainly had potential. It was a single storey, made of stone, ideal for a group requiring all facilities on one floor. It was big inside, with adequate windows for natural light. If it could be divided up into separate units, different groups could use it and help keep costs low.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here