Maida Vale Play Project

Last week letters went out from the Council's Children Services department to begin a consultation on the future of the Maida Vale Play Project, based in Paddington Rec.

The Play Project is a much-loved amenity for local mums and dads, supporting them in their childcare needs and allowing many to return to work. In recent years the number of children using the Project has declined, meaning the service is significantly under-capacity. As a result, the Children Services department have begun to speak to parents about the possible closure of the Project and the transfer to nearby services at Essendine and St. Augustine's Schools, with the intention of spending more money to develop a play wardens scheme in the Rec.

We have been working very closely with local parents since the department first announced the consultation. As local Councillors, we are committed to ensuring a first class childcare service for Maida Vale residents, and it is important that the Council takes parents with children at the centre along with them in any decision made. Unlike some, we are not interested on grandstanding on this issue. But what we will do - and we will do very loudly if necessary - is make sure that the needs and wishes of local parents are taken into account during the decision.

Already we have made a difference for local parents. Amidst concern that the consultation period was not long enough and that not all parents had received full information, we successfully lobbied the Department to begin another round of consultation letters and to extend the deadline by a further fortnight. Local parents must have confidence that they are being listened to.

We are here to help. If you use the Play Project and are concerned about its future, please do get in touch. It is important that all voices are heard now, during the consultation before any decision is made.

Alastair, Jan and Lee