PRIORY Park Playgroup has provided early years education to 100 children for more than 25 years. As an active member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, we are a charity run by a dedicated group of volunteers and staffed by professionally qualified perso

PRIORY Park Playgroup has provided early years education to 100 children for more than 25 years.

As an active member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, we are a charity run by a dedicated group of volunteers and staffed by professionally qualified personnel. This often means that we do not have a voice within the official local educational and healthcare bodies. Since we continue to be oversubscribed and our waiting list extends into 2010, we would dearly love to increase our profile in the community, increase our services and replace our outdated temporary buildings.

The recent articles on the development of the St Neots site of Huntingdonshire Regional College are great news for the local community. A few yards away, Longsands College has started its building programme and Priory Park Infant School has spent the last few years updating its buildings.

What a pity the community has not thought to combine these groups and services under the Government's extended schools initiative. Nationally, schools are being encouraged to offer programmes that reflect the needs of their local community. What a great opportunity to encompass these life-long learning facilities as a united group, not forgetting the nearby community clinic and doctors' surgery.

We are reaching out to those caring individuals in the local community who can support and drive forward our plans for Priory Park Playgroup.

JANE NICHOLSON, Chairman, Priory Park Playgroup, Almond Road, St Neots