Nursery World - Core of a community

Currently there is a climate of fear and mistrust, where sections of the community are being set against each other by the actions of a small minority. But it is good to see in the East West Children's Centre an example of how well a community can live together, accepting their differences and recognising their similarities. This centre started out as a playgroup more than 20 years ago, offering the chance for children and their parents to meet and play together three mornings a week. It remains a voluntary organisation, but has changed over the years into the daycare part of a designated children's centre. It is based on the Abingdon school site, working closely with the statutory services through the Sure Start local programme.

This centre started out as a playgroup more than 20 years ago, offering the chance for children and their parents to meet and play together three mornings a week. It remains a voluntary organisation, but has changed over the years into the daycare part of a designated children's centre. It is based on the Abingdon school site, working closely with the statutory services through the Sure Start local programme.

Its original aim, to enable children from all cultural and religious backgrounds to come together equally, learning through play and helping to promote tolerance and understanding of each others' backgrounds, is as strong today as it was 20 years ago. The children and families have ethnic origins as far apart as Britain, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and the Caribbean. The staff also reflect multi-racial backgrounds.

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