Affordable childcare is a key issue not just in Gateshead, but across the whole country and three enterprising parents used this as a hook for setting up something to address the problem.
Back in the early nineties parents in the Felling area were having trouble finding affordable childcare, until three friends who wanted to return to work after having children came together to do something about it.
Now known as the Pirate's Den, the out-of-school club is providing local parents and kids with an invaluable service. The enterprise was started after receiving support from Gateshead Council who helped the group refine their idea and research consumer demand.
Local parents were recruited to form the management committee and the project, initially called Time Out, managed to attract some funding to get it off the ground.
The money was used to employ a project co-ordinator, two childcare staff and an administrative assistant who helped to deliver an affordable and reliable service to local parents.
The enterprise is now a charitable company employing five childcare workers who supervise more than 30 children in Felling. The centre still receives ongoing support from our team to help provide dance lessons, games, homework sessions, sport and IT classes for local kids.
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