Friendly Families Nursery is a Co-DB collaboration with the New Economic Foundation to co-produce affordable childcare.
|
In 2018 the think tank New Economic Foundation (NEF) recognised a growing need for affordable early years childcare and for parents to be more involved in their children’s education. We have been working with NEF to creating a bridge linking theory to the practical and creative realisation of the project. The ambition of the project is to create a space for a parent-led co-operative model of childcare, that allows parents to be active participants while their children were in nursery. To ensure full collaboration was founded right from the beginning we actively involve both children and parents in every stage of the project, from designing pieces for the space to building and decorating.
|
|
|
With funding awarded by the GLA's Good Growth Fund, the initial phase started in which we delivered a detailed program of play-based co-production workshops in which prototypes were be developed. This allowed the exploration of the children’s imagination and the experienced knowledge of the parents to feed into what would be produced. Designing with the end user meant that the needs of the space could be well predicted but also the pieces made would have an energy of playfulness because they had come out of the fun and productive workshops. This enhanced the sense of ownership amongst the parents and children.
|
|
Co-DB Play and Friendly Families Nursery co-designed the scheme. It reflects their desire for a high quality early years environment that incorporates access to nature and risk taking with a secure nurturing atmosphere that can be easily adapted to meet the needs of children and staff as they change over time.
To facilitate the workshops, children’s benches and low seating for adults were made for the space to be both adaptable for the hosting, as places to a sit or to hold snacks, but also to harbour the conversations between the staff and families. |
|
|
|
The second phase was guided by introducing one object at a time, with a mix of materials, odd parts and activities. This took place over a series of two hour sessions, that included making space, material exploration and a light session. This allowed a new type of open-ended sensory play that acted as a tool for the children to explore how the space would be used and testing which materials were more appealing to be incorporated into the final space. In the making session a box of various materials was brought in that could be moved around and packed away by the children in small trolleys.
|
|
The build has been a combination of making in our the workshop in east London and installing onsite through a series of community build days. These community events were open to all the community including older children, partners and neighbours on the estate. They have been a great way to get more people involved as well as an efficient way to get stuff done.
|
|
Working so closely with the families and their young children Co-DB Play have been able to learn from and design directly for the people who the space is for, the kids. By running regular sessions and testing ideas before creating finished items ensures Co-DB Play can embed the observations and learning directly into the fabric of the space.
|
|
|
It continues to be a real pleasure to watch people use these community events to take ownership over the space and feel empowered to take actions which positively impact the space and other peoples relationship to it.
The nursery plans to open its doors, offering genuinely affordable childcare to local families in January 2020. For more infomation please visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community-Service/Parent-led-Childcare-on-Albyn-Street-803177360035565 |