Mr Bee's Family Centre
Mr Bee’s Family Centre is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which provides three centres offering quality childcare to families whilst working closely with the Early Childhood and Family Services (ECFS) and other agencies in the West Norfolk area to meet the needs of our families, as well as a community building located at the St Augustine’s Centre.
We believe that adults, children, volunteers, and employees have the right to reach their full potential and offer a range of opportunities to achieve this through its employment structure, activities and linked programmes and services it offers.
Our Locations
St. Augustines
Our St Augustine’s Family Centre has provided education and childcare for children from 2 years to 5 years since 2007 and now houses a toddler room, pre-school room and creche facilities.
Springwood
Our Springwood Family Centre has provided education and childcare for children from 2 to 12 since 2006 and includes both nursery and out of school provision. Ideal for parents who work at the hospital.
North Lynn
Our North Lynn Family Centre has provided education and childcare for children between 3 months to 5 years since 2004 and now houses two baby rooms, a toddler room and two pre-school rooms.
History
Mr Bee’s Family Centre began as a registered charity in 1995 in King’s Lynn and its main purpose was to support families through times of crisis and help family members reach their potential.
It was the concept of a husband and wife team, Steve and Marion Mayhew. who started Mr Bee’s from a derelict building, renovated it with the help of friends, set up a Board of Trustees and opened the first Mr Bee’s Childcare Centre, known as Central. This has been a long journey with the addition of North Lynn in 2004, Springwood in 2006 and St Augustine’s which became the home for the Signpost Children’s Centre in 2007.
We continue to evolve as a CIO and continue to meet the needs of the families and government agendas, as well as manage a community building located at the St Augustine’s Centre which houses one of our nurseries, a doctor surgery, midwife hub, the Family Hub, three counties snooker, and facilities such as a board room, meetings rooms, and community gardens which holds a social, meadow and wooded area.
Aims & Objectives
Development & Education
The development and education of children and young people in particular by:
- Promoting their care and safety.
- Promoting their education and encouraging parental involvement.
- Providing services to support them and their families and carers.
- Promoting their health and well-being.
- The provision of nursery and childcare facilities.
Benefit Residents of King's Lynn
To further or benefit the residents of Kings Lynn and the neighbourhood, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious, or other opinions by associating together residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation to improve the conditions of life for the residents.
Safeguard & Protect Good Health
To safeguard and protect the good health, both practically and emotionally, of adults and children, and to prevent poverty, hardship and distress caused by family crises and potential breakdown.
Environment
Mr Bee’s believes a good quality environment allows children to feel confident and secure. We believe children learn most by doing rather than being told; learn most effectively when they are actively involved and interested; need time and space to produce work of quality and depth; and playing and talking are the main ways through which children learn about themselves and the world around them.
As a nursery, we aim to create an environment in which children and parents are valued; children freely access and select resources and materials; and children can move between the different curriculum areas. A communication-friendly approach has been adopted at all our centres and staff undertake Communication Friendly Spaces training to support them in understanding the role of the environment in supporting speaking and listening skills, emotional well-being, physical development and general engagement.
Most of all, we aim to ensure every child attending childcare at Mr Bee’s will have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
The Board of Trustees
Mr Bee’s is a Registered Charity managed by a Board of Trustees—all of whom are dedicated to providing quality care for all those using the service. They can be contacted in writing at St Augustine’s Centre, Columbia Way, King’s Lynn, PE30 2LB
Kathryn Le Serve, Trustee
Jeanette Nowrung, Chair of Trustees
Carol Renard, Trustee
The Senior Early Years Professional
All Childcare is the responsibility of the Senior Early Years Professional, Karen Gibbons, or in her absence the appointed deputy.
Karen can be contacted on karengibbons@mrbeesfscentre.co.uk
