Issue 149

Nursery celebrates its 25th birthday with a picnic

20th November 2006

On Monday 13 November, the Students' Union Nursery celebrated its 25th birthday, with three of the Sabbatical Officers dressing up as teddy bears.

The celebrations began with a teddy bears picnic for children from the past and present, staff and parents.

Owen Morgan President of the Students' Union, Owen Morris Treasurer of the Students' Union, and Stuart 'Chugga' Jones, Education Officer, dressed up as teddy bears and came along to entertain the children.

The nursery which is managed and run by the Students' Union was first opened in 1981 as a drop in centre, where children were able to stay for a few hours at a time. Since then it has moved to a larger building with an outside play area in a quiet area of campus. Over the last few years the Nursery has expanded and has been able to care for babies.

Tracey Knuszka, Nursery manager, said, "I am very happy and proud to be a part of the Students' Union birthday celebrations for the nursery. The success over the last 25 years has been down to the hard work of a dedicated staff team, supportive parents and fantastic children."

Anna Thomas, a student at the university, has a son who has attended the nursery for a year and said that, "The friendly staff have helped my son settle into a nursery environment and have encouraged him to play and learn. He has learnt so much while he has been here and I believe it is down to the friendly, caring nature of the Students' Union Nursery.

The Students' Union Nursery provides places for children of both staff and students. As there is normally a waiting list due to the high demand, it is recommended that students applying for a place at university should contact the nursery as soon as possible in order to secure a place, in time for the next academic year.

Owen Morgan, said, "The nursery is a vital service there for students at the university, which is provided by the Students' Union. 25 years of service is important and to celebrate it with a teddy bears picnic is a great way to involve the children at the Nursery."

Jason Sannegadu