Embed Doc
Copy Link
Readcast
Collections

CommentGo Back

Download

Francis plays with a friend at Kate Greenaway, with hiskey person Antonella close by

Ewa and Francis found Kate Greenaway when Francis was just 23months old. For Ewa, having a baby was a huge upheaval - one thatshe is still adjusting to. A number of personal difficulites culminatedin Ewa having post-natal depression.

"He wasn't a happy baby and I wasn't a happy mummy”

Not having family on hand, Ewa found herself very isolated andstruggling. Ewa's therapist arranged a half day place for Francis atKate Greenaway to give Ewa a break. This, for Francis and Ewa, wasa turning point. "I took Francis out to groups all the time and he hatedthem all, and so did I. This was the only place heliked."

"Settling in was done brilliantly"

Ewa describes Francis as a child who finds transitionsand coming and goings very distressing. Settling-in,then, was gong to be important. Ewa was helped andrelieved b the seriousness and carefulness with

Ewa lives inIslington with herpartner and herson Francis, nowaged four. She hasbeen using Kate

Greenaway for twoyears.

Kate Greenaway NurserySchool and Children’s Centrehelped Ewa come throughsome difficult times as a new mother.

"I don't know what I'd do without this place. I feel totally at home and I don't feel at home in many places"

which it was approached. "I brought him for 10 minutes at first andthen we went home. Yes! It was so good".Ewa and Francis took it slowly, very gradually increasing the lengthof time Francis stayed. Ewa, until then, had no idea that the processof settling can be individualised and work in a way that responds toparticular needs and wants.Francis now stays for full days, and last week wanted to stay for tea."Partings can still be a bit touch and go but Antonella (his keyperson) is brilliant".

"Francis has changed so much. He's unrecognisable in someways"

“He used to be so unsociable. He just didn't like people. But now, wow, last night a friend came round and Francis was makingpancakes with him. Well, he was so bossy, he was forcing our friendto make pancakes! He'schanged so much due tothis place." Francisenjoys a whole array of activities: hammering,trains, music, ridingbikes, the sand, baking,books, making things,music and dance.

"I need to do somethingfor me"

Francis's place at KateGreenaway enables Ewato do her own thing. "Idon't have to worry abouthim. He's loved, safe,happy and looked after ...and not with me!"She enjoys herinvolvement with the toylibrary and the kitchencommittee as well as the various courses she'sattended, including'Strengthening Families'and 'Confidence onCommittees'. As well as doing some work in the fashionbusiness, Ewa has just written two children's

Kate Greenaway Nursery School and Children’sCentre York Way Court, Copenhagen StreetLondon N1 0UH020 7527 4850

Noah loves construction and playing with trains

Did you know that threeyear olds are now entitledto 15 hours a week of freenursery education at Kate Greenaway?

“Noah’s spoken English has developed so well since starting nursery”

Noah speaks Spanish (his mother’s first language), Japanese (hisfather’s first language) and, now, English – and he signs too.Gisela, Noah’s mum, is thrilled about how his English has comeon since he started at Kate Grenaway last September.Noah doesn’t speak English at home so Gisela is amazed whenshe hears him speaking to his friends at Nursery. “He can explainin full sentences now and uses new words on a daily basis”.

“The inside and outside are without a boundary. I think this is one of the most important aspects here”

Gisela says that Noah loves the free-flow playbetween indoors and the garden. Not having agarden at home, Noah especially loves theoutdoor play. “He talks about it all the time”.He really loves the new bikes – Gisela thinksthey are brilliant, too, not having tried thembefore. They both attend

Bikestart

on Saturdaymornings. “It’s a friendly, enjoyable and safeplace to play”.

Noah started atKate Greenawaylast September,when he wasthree. His mumGisela is thrilledwith hisexperience.