Set up in 1972, Rising Fives Pre-school Group is a registered charity (Charity number 270065) run by a Management Committee made up of elected parents. We have a staff of 10 and have around 40 registered children from Whitchurch and the surrounding area.
The Committee consists of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and members made up of parents and grandparents. The Pre-School cannot open without a committee. The committee meets monthly and involvement would only take a few hours of your time each month. The committee are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in September, and all are volunteers. All parents are actively encouraged to attend the AGM and join the Committee.
| Chair | Nadia Dowling |
| Vice Chair | Jenny Ball |
| Secretary | Adele Smith |
| Treasurer | Fiona Nicholson |
| Other Members | Sophie Lloyd, Natasha Lambden, Sarah Kenny, Rosanna Devereux |
The Chair of the Committee can be contacted by either dropping a letter into Rising fives, addressed "FAO:Committee", or by post, using the address at the top of this page, addressed to "Nadia Dowling".
We were last inspected in 3rd May 2015, inspections occur every 3 years, and were assessed as being 'good'. Ofsted use a 4 level scale; Outstanding, Good, Satisfactory and Inadequate. A copy of the inspector's report can be downloaded from the Ofsted web site.
We aim to keep fees to a minimum, so support our income with fundraising events. The fees cover the basic running costs and fundraising is used to help buy new equipment as well as maintain and improve the premises.
The way that we are run means that major decision-making is in the hands of the parents who use the group. We do not incur many of the costs of private pre-schools, such as management salaries and rent (we own our own premises). Furthermore, any profit that is made is ploughed back into the pre-school.
Parents of children that attend Rising Fives are encouraged to support the pre-school through involvement in the committee and/or fundraising activities.
Rising Five now also has a Facebook page. You can find up to date information about committee fundraising events and committee dates through our Facebook page.
October 2012 marked the 40th anniversary of the start of what has become Rising Fives Pre-School. Many, many Whitchurch families will have had children and now grandchildren pass through on their way to joining older brothers and sisters and friends at Whitchurch Primary School. Forty years is something to be celebrated and by many, to be remembered fondly.
It all began when two mums, Virginia Lee and Catherine Larcombe- decided to begin a playgroup at one of their homes in Newbury Street. It quickly became so busy and popular that new, bigger premises were needed. Whitchurch Parish Hall became the new home for the playgroup and sessions rose to five mornings a week.
The Old School Canteen in Wells Lane became the Playgroup’s permanent site in 1974 after the Whitchurch C of E School closed after 128 years. It was not a straight- forward move and involved “taking possession ” of the building with the help of the local MP David Mitchell. After many years of legal intervention- supported by distinguished local resident and Master of the Rolls, Lord Denning- the building was finally signed over to the Pre- School and is now overseen by a team of Trustees.
Another anniversary to be acknowledged this year is the 25th birthday of our logo! This cheeky chappie was chosen from a children’s competition back in 1987. Just over ten years later Rising Fives changed it’s title from Playgroup to Rising Fives Pre- School Group and was given Pre –School Learning Alliance Accreditation Standard in 2004.
Over the past forty years many, many children have spent their early years happily learning, playing, sharing and making friends here. We hope Rising Fives will continue to play an important part in children’s lives and Whitchurch life and tradition for many years to come.
Dates and details supplied by Trustee and ex Rising Fives staff member for 31 years-Sheila Kelland.