Grove Cottage, the home of Bishops Stortford MENCAP has been running for nearly 50 years but due to a funding shortfall, this unique, dedicated special needs Pre School and Nursery for children with learning disabilities, aged from 3 months to 5 years, face a real risk of closure in 2013.

 

Due to the special and sometimes complex needs of the children attending Grove Cottage staff ratios are much higher and often 1:1 care is provided significantly increasing our costs.  Expensive specialist equipment is required to enable the children attending the Nursery to fully participate in activities

Claire Cook, parent of Isla who has Downs Syndrome and who currently attends Grove Cottage Pre School Nursery said “Isla has been attending Grove Cottage nursery since she was only 5 months old. She’s now a busy 3 and a half year old and still loving her time at Grove Cottage. 

 

The pre school nursery has been amazing in so many ways. It has been a great source of support and advice for us as parents, including putting us in touch with other parents. The staff have also provided Isla with the most amazing level of care, working with us to help Isla achieve her goals. The staff and volunteers all work extremely hard to ensure the children have a happy, loving and developmentally stimulating environment.

 

Words can’t explain the relief, as a parent of a disabled child, of finding such an amazing place – knowing that we can have a break, but that our children our being given the best 1:1 care and still being developed to the best of their ability.  

 

There is no doubt that Grove Cottage nursery has made a tremendously positive difference to our lives providing us with a lifeline at a very difficult time and amazing continued support as our daughter grows up. We have a lot to thank them for and will be devastated if the Pre School nursery has to close due to lack of funding.”

 

Esme Wilcocks, Parent of Rose who has a unique genetic disorder said “We became members of Grove Cottage when we moved to Bishop’s Stortford back in 2004.  Rose was just 14 months old.  From the moment we walked into the Nursery we knew it would be the right environment for Rose.  It was bright, stimulating, all of the children were so happy and above all, every single member of staff just oozed passion for the children.

 

We never looked back.  Rose loved the three years that she spent at the Nursery.  She did everything at the nursery that all other mainstream children do at theirs.  She now attends the Saturday Club & the Holiday Club and is enjoying her time at GC just as much!

 

We are passionate about Grove Cottage. It would be devastating for many families in Bishop’s Stortford if it ceased to run due to financial reasons.  We really need your help."

 

In addition to the Pre School and Nursery Grove Cottage run Saturday, holiday and youth clubs and regular clubs for adults, to provide social and educational activities for people of all ages with learning disability; to develop their potential, avoid social isolation by supporting lifelong friendships and to provide respite for their families.

 

It costs over £140k per year to run Grove Cottage and we could not exist without financial support from the local community and we really need your help now to keep the Pre School Nursery open.

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