Cupboard issue threatens Worthing child-minders

Worthing Childminding Association runs a twice-monthly drop-in session at the Field Place Pavilion, and it stores its equipment in a large cupboard, or boxroom, adjacent to the meeting area.

Now, the borough council says the group can't have the cupboard any more, as it is needed to upgrade other services offered by Field Place.

Beth Thomas, the group's vacancy co-ordinator/press officer, told the Herald: "All of our resources are stored in one cupboard there (which we pay for), and it is all large play equipment that none of us could store at home, due to its size.

"They have also said they are changing their refreshments services and we would no longer be able to bring our own refreshments, but purchase theirs at a cost extra to hiring the hall."

Venue issue

Mrs Thomas said they had received a letter from the council saying it wanted to provide a venue for weddings and conferences, "so they need our storage cupboard for their posh tables and chairs".

Mrs Thomas said all this would come into effect from April 1, so they now had to find a new venue to host the group.

"We thought that the council had bought the Field Place buildings so they could be used by the community, but they are, in fact, alienating the community," she added.

All affected

Sue Williams, chair of the minders' group, said they had been using Field Place for three or four years, and upwards of 50 members and children attended each session.

A Worthing Council spokeswoman told the Herald the council had been reviewing the long-term future of Field Place.

"We have to make the best use of it to ensure its viability, and that includes all storage space," she said.

"Other groups are affected by this, too."

-------------------------------------

Click here to go back to Worthing news.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: [email protected]

Click here for the Herald staff directory.

Want to read this page in French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Urdu or 48 other languages? click here for Google translate.