Christmas fun at outstanding Oscars

Father Christmas himself made a special guest appearance for gifts, party games, a disco and Christmas storytelling at the Hartlepool Council-run club, based at Rossmere Youth Centre on Rossmere Way.

Sandra Robinson, the Council’s Out of School Coordinator, explained: “The emphasis is always on fun at Oscars and parents can relax knowing that their children are enjoying themselves and are in safe hands.

“Our festive fun went down a treat and children had a magical time listening to seasonal stories from Father Christmas himself.

“Looking ahead to the new year, parents are reminded that Oscars has expanded its service to offer support for working parents of three and four year olds and eligible to receive up to 30 hours free childcare per week.

“To help these parents, we offer school pickups at 11.30am from St Teresa and Rossmere Primary Schools so children can attend our afternoon sessions. Parents can also use their free 30 hours of childcare entitlement through our normal after-school programme, which will not change.

“We encourage parents wishing to book, view facilities at Oscars or requiring any further information to email sandra.robinson@hartlepool.gov.uk or call 07771 936968.”

Oscars will continue to operate an after-school service on weekdays as normal, which involves children aged 3 to 16 being collected from school and transported to the centre where they take part in a wide range of educational and fun activities. Parents then have until 6pm to collect their children.

The service, which has been running for over 20 years, was recently hailed as “outstanding” by Ofsted inspectors.

To find out more about the Government childcare scheme, visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.