Dear Parent Carer

I am writing to let you know about some changes to Extratime’s summer play scheme and the after school club at Downs View School (Woody’s).

As you will know, Downs View School is beginning to make plans for the building work that will take place in preparation for the new integrated hub.

This means that we have been asked to vacate the ‘huts’ whilst the building work is underway. As this is a big project, Downs View are not yet able to tell us the exact timescale, but it is likely that they will need the space during the 2018 summer holidays and throughout the next academic year. This means we will no longer be able to run the holiday schemes or after school club at Downs View School.

Unfortunately this is outside of our control, but we are confident that our plans mean the children will continue to enjoy their time with us, and that you have the trusted childcare you need.

Woody’s Play Scheme

The possible alternative local venues for the Play scheme we have considered over recent months have not been suitable. This is either due to inadequate changing facilities, other people accessing the building, or the venues are just not available.

For August 2018, we have therefore decided to relocate the Woody’s Play Scheme to Hillside School where the children and staff will join our popular play scheme in Portslade. We are delighted that the head teacher Rachel Burstow has offered us additional space within the school, alongside all the lovely facilities that the school has to offer.

Click here for Hillside map and information

I am confident that by running the play scheme at Hillside, the children will benefit even more from the space as there are two playgrounds, a sensory room, a food tech room, a hall and a playroom. We will also be able to offer more visiting workshops (circus skills, sports, dance, yoga, music etc), more trips and also to invest in better toys, games and equipment.

Woody’s After School Club

The Woody’s After School Club will also be moving. From September 2018, the club will run from the Woodingdean Youth Centre. As you may know we already run the Extratime Youth holiday scheme for the older children and young people from here, so we can be confident that this will work well. As usual, the children will be collected from school and brought to the club by our staff, and we ask that you collect them from the Youth Centre (next door) instead of the usual huts.

Click here for Woodingdean Youth Centre map and information

I understand that some families may have concerns about these changes, so I’d be pleased to arrange a visit for you to come along and see the facilities for yourself. We will also offer all the support we can to make the transition as smooth as possible for your child.

As always, please contact myself or my colleague Brett, if you would like to discuss these changes.

Best wishes

Sam

Chief Executive