We were abel to share information about the charity and upcoming activities at this event today.

• Computer Beginners - starts NOW!
• Childcare - starts September
• Health & Social Care - starts September

This event was held at the charity building and celebrated a Brazilian Theme, with traditional Brazilian food and music.

As we near the end of phase two, the offices are almost ready and having the final touches before the carpets are laid this week!

Work will then begin on the extension which will become our new creche, together with an outdoor play area for the children.

A combination of food sales, tombola, making children's windmills with stickers, newsletters and balloons. Just a few of the things we had on offer at the Oxhey Village Fayre this year. We had half of the tent dealing with Sunshine Children's Centre Charity and the other half with Sunshine Children's Centre, showing how the partners are working in combination to support families from our community.

The second cheque was presented to the Wellspring Church Centre today to help the construction of another new building ready to deliver more Parents into Work activities next year for all families.

Myths & Masks                                         

Healthy Lunch

A new role of Caretaker/Cleaner is being advertised through JobcentrePlus, initially for 1 hour a day, rising to 2 hours a day once the extension and offices are complete.

Rate of pay will be £6 per hour - please see www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk for details

The basement is now a lovely Early Years creche with new soft play equipment and play areas.

A new toilet has been installed into the basement. The basement will be the temporary creche until the purpose built creche is complete. In future, the basement will be the Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) area for our partners to prepare parents for the workplace.

The day went very well and 30 parents were assessed to see if they were able to join the class that starts on Monday 27th April at 83 Market Street. One of the joining conditions is that parents must have been in the country for over 3 years and have a reasonable level of English Language skills. Where English levels are slightly below the levels needed, we refer parents to join ESOL classes at our partner sites, ready for next year.

A cheque for £78,481.71 was handed over to Watford Community Church today in order to build anther new site for the Parents into Work project for families living in and around the Watford area.

Parents will be able to sign up for NVQ Adminsitration, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), Family Learning, Baby Cafe and much more.

The cheque was presented by Sunshine Children's Centre Charity Chair Person, Mrs Sharon McGregor to Rev. Tim Roberts.

A huge thank you to parents who attended the Spring Assembley at Bushey & Oxhey Infants School. After a brief information session at the end, a collection was held which raised over £153.

We have booked (a double decker bus) to be based on two sites on Friday 29th May as the finale of our National Family Week.

• 9.30-11.30 will be at Sunshine Children's Centre, Eastbury Road, Watford WD19 4RL
• 1-3pm could be at Central Primary School (to be confirmed)

Places will be booked in advance for 20minute slots per child and must be booked in advance through the Charity Outreach Workers on 01923 482842.

Two members of Sunshine Children's Centre will be in the bus to supervise whilst parents wait outside as the fun unfolds.

is a Double Decker Bus converted into soft play area for children aged under 5 year old to accommodate up to 20 children.

The bus remains stationary throughout the party, all you have to do is arrange for the children to arrive.

Plans are being put together for a National Family Week  long range of activities that will springboard the activities of Sunshine Children's Centre Charity.

We intend offering the following:

• Play Bus - ball pond & soft play within a double decker bus
• Masks & Myths
• Play & Talk
• Healthy Lunchbox

Timetable to follow shortly, names are being taken for the waiting list as these programmes will be extremely popular and of course are all free to parents & children.

The new Parent Bus has been ordered and is being built to order and will include a disability tail lift, full air condition, automatic gears and 16 seats to bring parents into the site at 83 Market Street, Watford WD18 0PT.

Our first course in NVQ2 Childcare will start on 27th April 09, subject to building work being completed on time.

Today saw the "charity lunch" sell out of food in just half an hour.

A special thanks to:

1. Alex Oliveira
2. Elena Goni
3. Nouria Fernandez
4. Alex Quiroga
5. Victoria Evora
6. Perla Silva
7. Elisena Lavecchia
8. Dominique Dumanoir
9. Salome Nunez

Who raised an incredible total of £284.06 in just over half an hour.

Due to recent heavy snow, the Air France fundraising lunch has changed dates to Thursday 5th February 2009.

This will enable those who are bringing foods to tread more carefully whilst carrying the precious fayre. We want to ensure everyone gets to sample the delicious menu.

At a recent Trustee meeting, the logo below was approved for use on all publicity for Sunshine Children's Centre Charity:

The temporary signs are now installed and include the website address plus telephone number. We will be delivering the first of many projects - NVQ2 Childcare from April.

More to follow soon!

 The photo to the left shows a wooden shed that will be removed. This is where the buggy park and secure access door to the creche will be. The existing door from the activity room will enter into a lobby area and stairs to the offices above before an additionl secure entrance to the creche area. The creche itself will will come out to the end of the grassed area and retain a small outside area that will be fully enclosed by fencing.

The existing stairs will move back to the end of the neighbouring property, leaving space below for children's toilets and a wet area for staff to clean and tidy up.

Well, here are the first set of photos of the new building. Lots to do, complete refurb and a new extension.

This will be the classroom side door leading to the Meeting Room

(Hire Charge £20 per hour)

Officially took over the building from Watford Community Church as the last of their belongings are removed from the site. Building work to start on Monday 5th January 2009!

Had a site visit to look at computer equipment with Panrents into Work Consultant.

Floor plans discussed for furniture and IT equipment.

Parents into Work

Meeting with Consultant Friday 2^nd January 2009 11am

83 Market Street, Watford WD18 0PT

Agenda

Progress with funding for EEDA target courses                                   (LVP)

o   NVQ Admin                                                            12th January meeting

o   NVQ Childcare                                                                  "

o   NVQ Health & Social Care                                                "

o   Family Learning                                                           Bids (AW)

o   ESOL                                                                                 "

o   IT                                                                                      "

o   Basic Skills                                                                       "

Funding applications to date

o   Links Foundation                                                         (AW)

o   Others                                                                         (LVP)

Progress with Parenting Courses                                                     (LVP)

                Identification of tutors                                                     (AW)

Building Requirements                                                                     (AW)

o   Logo for signage & letterheads                                 (LVP)

o   IT Equipment quotes                                                  (AW/LVP/AM)

o   Draft classroom furniture plans                                 (AW)

Protocol, communication & areas of specialism                             (AW)

                Meeting dates & availability                                           (AW/LVP)

                Fundraising                                                                      (AW)

§  Marks & Spencers, etc                                    (AW)

§  School fundraisers                                           (AW)

§  Causes, website & network sites                    (AW)

Followed by the Builders meeting at 1pm                                        (AW/AM)

A set of keys have been handed over from the previous owners of 83 Market Street, Watford. They will remain in the building until Saturday 3rd January 09

Finally completion takes place and 83 Market Street, Watford WD18 0PT is now owned by Sunshine Children's Centre Charity. Let's start the building work!!

Mrs Yvonne Graves, Head of Bromet Primary School hands over a donation from their fundraiser to charity Administrator Fiona Rawbone.

£563.50 was collected - Thank you Bromet Primary School!

Our fabulous Sunshine Children's Centre staff joined forces and helped raise funds for Sunshine Charity.

By packing customer's bags at the end of the tills, they managed to raise almost £300. Sadly no photos here but we look forward to the next big event.

A successful launch took place at 83 Market Street, to announce to the local community that the Charity is here, preparing for the purchasem then opening of the new charity building.

The property will be purchased including the free-hold and owned outright by the charity as it's new home.

All political parties stood side by side to show full support for Sunshine Charity and it's future plans.