A LOOK at a local school.

SCHOOL MESSAGE: We are a Lancashire County Council-maintained nursery school providing quality foundation stage education for three and four-year-olds. We believe that the early years are crucial in a child's development and we give each child the best possible start to their formal education. Our nursery school aims to allow every pupil to be part of a community where they are able to develop: self confidence and respect for others; a positive self image; independence for learning; a knowledge of personal hygiene and safety; awareness and respect for other cultures; an ability to share and care with consideration, kindness and politeness.

NUMBER OF PUPILS: We provide part-time nursery education for 100 children. Fifty attend morning sessions and 50 attend afternoon sessions during term-time. We are strongly committed to offering children with special educational needs the opportunity to experience nursery education. We have the expertise and resources.

WHAT WE OFFER: Ribblesdale Nursery School offers a broad and balanced curriculum providing both structured activities and opportunities for spontaneous learning. Our rich and stimulating environment ensures the development of the whole child, socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. Young children learn through play and need to explore the world around them by experiencing a wide variety of activities, first-hand. We are child-centred - to us play is important, it should be fun and exciting!

WHAT ABOUT THE PARENTS: Parents are involved from the moment they accept a place for their child. We introduce ourselves at a new parents evening, then make home visits to every family. Parents are involved with record keeping, in the classroom, fundraising, in numeracy workshops and currently in trials of 'starting out with the children' - new course which informs parents about the foundation stage curriculum by allowing them to enjoy some children's learning activities. Our 'Friends of RNS' has raised thousands of pounds to improve the school grounds. The playground is becoming an outdoor classroom, with a huge area of safety surfacing featuring a roadway design and various games.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH £100,000 WINDFALL?: Our long-term plans involve altering the building, to enable us to extend the services we offer. We could create a 'community room' for before/lunch/after school clubs, areas for mother and toddler groups, childminders, adult education, etc. As the Social Services day nursery in Clitheroe is due to close, we could help to provide similar support for families. We believe the community of Clitheroe and the surrounding rural area we serve deserves the best possible in services for families with young children.

Our plea to the powers that be is - give us some funding and the opportunity to become a Nursery centre of Excellence!