The parents of the children attending the pre-school in the premises of the IPSA (International Primary School Almere) can all attest how extraordinary the teachers have been in terms of educating, caring and nurturing our children, but we also understand the financial reasons behind this business decision (less pupils in the waiting list + a high rent), which is why we proposed the current provider, Partou, to consider these alternatives before closing the pre-school:
Starting from September, opening the pre-school with 8 kids per 1 teacher (respecting thus the ratio for this specific age group) with a waiting list for additional applications. The 2nd teacher would be reintroduced once the desired number of students was reached. In September we have 8 children; some want to stay for an extended period of time;
Parent participation: one parent would be present at the location every day in order to assist the teacher whenever needed;
A (more aggressive) marketing campaign: almost nobody knows the pre-school exists. At the Almere Gemeente website, as an example, there is no mention of this pre-school at all. We recommended an open day every quarter, marketed across expat groups and forums, informing everyone about the school and its benefits, in order to boost applications. The first open day could be held in July before the expected end of school. The parents were willing to help advertising not only the pre-school but also the open day;
If feasible, opening a BSO at the location in the afternoons to boost profits and somehow compensate for the pre-school lowest months;
Partou believes these suggestions are good, but the rent is still too high. The parents have tried to get a reaction from the Gemeente, but haven't managed to get one yet. We do not ask for subsidies, but the Gemeente has a say in this matter. We are sure that "where there is a will, there is a way".
There are no bilingual pre-schools or centers where English can be taught to children of these ages, so we will keep on looking into all possibilities to keep this facility open.
DEN BOSCH - De bewoners van de wijk Maaspoort in Den Bosch worden verkeerd ingelicht over de mogelijke komst van een asielzoekerscentrum in De Saren. De informatie in het pamflet Nee AZC klopt niet.
"En dat is niet goed, reageert wethouder Eric Logister. "De keuze voor de locatie voor een asielzoekerscentrum wordt niet beïnvloed door een hoge opkomst, maar door argumentatie", waarschuwt de verantwoordelijk wethouder vooraf aan de 3 informatiebijeenkomsten die voor begin september gepland staan. De voormalige honkbalvelden aan De Saren zijn met landgoed Coudewater en het voormalige Michelinterrein aan de Vlijmenseweg in beeld voor een asielzoekerscentrum. Inmiddels is er vanuit de Maaspoort ook een petitie op internet gezet. Meer dan 300 mensen ondertekenden de petitie Maaspoort, de Saren zegt nee tegen AZC.
de eerste 100 ondertekeningen op onze petitie granddepartdordt.petities.nl zijn binnen. Een goed begin maar ook niet meer dan dat. Er moeten er nog een heleboel bij komen. .