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ARK LAUNCHES

BY ANNE BYRNE

12:00 - 18 March 2005
Two city mums are turning a dream into reality by opening a much-needed pre-school. The Exwick Ark Pre-school will welcome its first tots on April 18, after passing a compulsory Government inspection.

The pre-school will be based in an old Exwick Middle School music room, which has been specially converted for the purpose.

And friends Harri Sharp and Paula Stone, both from Exwick, will run the 22-place playgroup together.

Harri said: "For years we have had this dream of starting up our own pre-school in Exwick and now it is finally a reality."

The pair say it will be a welcome addition to the area, as there are insufficient nursery places west of the River Exe.

Harri added: "Something like 60 children between two-and-a-half and five go over the river for pre-school at the moment."

Paula, who is a qualified teacher, recently completed a diploma in pre-school practice.

She has nine years' primary school teaching experience and has spent two years as a playleader.

Harri has worked with children and young people for 14 years.

For several years, the women have led the three to five-year-olds' Sunday school group at their local church, the Exwick Christian Fellowship.

Harri said: "We first met seven years ago when we were both pregnant, and I got to know Paula through church.

"We were both involved in pre-schools on committees, but we realised that running pre-schools with committees is not the ideal way to do it, as people come and go all the time. We approached a few schools, but Exwick Middle people came forward and said they thought this was a great idea. The plan is for us to continue the relationship with the school when it eventually moves to its new site.

"The room we have is a lovely sunny space."

The pre-school cam accommodate water and sand play, and has an outdoor area with a Wendy house and a cosy 'home corner'.

During their first term, the children will learn about shelters, looking at the different homes people inhabit, such as igloos.

The pre-school will open its doors for the first time on April 18, and the official opening is planned for early June.

Anyone interested in obtaining a prospectus for the pre-school is asked to ring 07931 591735.

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