West Sussex preschool to celebrate 40th anniversary

Back in January 1984, the original owner Betty Labron opened the preschool. Manager of the preschool Kim Miles said: “I was childminding 18 years before taking on the preschool. I got to know the owner well because I was childminding and collecting children, my three children came here as well.

“I even did my school work experience when I was 14 here too! I knew the previous owner for a long time, she just approached me when she wanted to retire. She was 76— and then I took over.”

Kim further commended the previous manager, for her work in building a ‘good reputation’ for the preschool.

She added: “The previous manager - (she) built such a good reputation in the village. A lot of the staff that she employed are still there. So of the staff have been here for over 20 years.

"She provided such a nurturing and warm environment for the children.

"The adult-to-child ratio is high. So that was something that I wanted to continue with. We’ve got eight staff working with the children from 8 am till 4 pm every day in term time. We’re very fortunate that we’re not struggling with that.”

The Jubilee preschool owner also highlighted issues of staff recruitment, and how ‘fortunate’ she has been with that.

She said: "Staff recruitment is a massive crisis at the moment. Early years education is something people want to get into. There's a lot of pressure on early years nurseries, particularly financial pressure.

"Everyone is pushing for more government funding. With the current elections, nobody knows what the outcome will be.

“Early education is very important; a child's brain develops the most between the ages of one and five. It's critical for their learning. The best possible education early on gives them the best start in school."

On Friday, July 5, there is set to be a mini party with the children, parents, the previous manager, Kim and her staff.