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• Funbus blazes a trail for early years learning

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An innovative mobile play service that has been entertaining and educating Knowsley’s youngest children for six years has been recognised as one of the best in the country.

Knowsley Council’s Funbus, which hosts educational workshops with children aged two to 11 across the borough, has once again been accredited by the Pre-School Learning Alliance, and is the first and only service of its kind in the country to gain this educational charity’s prestigious kitemark.

Judges commented that the bus, which is a partnership project by Knowsley Council’s Youth and Play Service and Sure Start, was “An excellent service providing quality care and education for children who most need it” and commented on the ”committed staff who have worked hard to meet the criteria for accreditation”. They also said they would like to see other areas in the country introduce a similar service.

Since 2001, the brightly coloured Funbus has become a familiar site in Knowsley, regularly pulling up in different parts of the borough, appearing at fun days, town centres and libraries.

Currently, the bus stops weekly at different locations in Huyton hosting two hour play sessions for children aged two to four. The highly trained staff – including at least two qualified nursery nurses at all times – entertain the children with a varied programme including construction games, multi-cultural activities, art and crafts, story time and music making. As well as being designed around early years foundation stage learning goals, the bus also introduces the children to healthy eating, encouraging them to snack on fruit and vegetables.

The bus also hosts sessions for five to 11 year olds, which take place across the borough at weekends and in the school holidays.

But it’s not only children who benefit from the work of the Funbus. The mobile unit has also been used to help raise awareness among adults in the borough, offering a mobile walk-in centre for information on subjects such as pensions, fire safety, energy efficiency, benefits, health and wellbeing.

Since 2004, the team of staff on the bus have also organised a ‘share family learning’ programme, which encourages children and their parents to enjoy early years play together, learn about the benefits of healthy eating and help develop quality activities which they can enjoy together at home. Parents and carers can even submit their work for accreditation by the Merseyside Open College Network (MOCN), giving them the option of further education and training.

Cllr Graham Wright, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Knowsley Council, said: “The Funbus is an absolutely invaluable service which is used by hundreds of parents and young people each year. The sessions with young people have such a positive impact on them, helping them learn to socialise, teaching them basic skills and encouraging them to try healthy eating.

“We cannot underestimate how much sessions like these help a child’s early years development and we are thrilled that the Pre School Learning Alliance has once again recognised the good work that is going on in Knowsley thanks to the Funbus.”

Photo: Parents, children and staff celebrate as the funbus – supported by Knowsley Council and Sure Start – marks another successful Kitemark accreditation.

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