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Supported Westside Charity 2011-2012 |
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| “Every child has the right to play. This is how the pre-school child learns. For children with physical and learning difficulties it is important to provide the best facilities adapted to their individual needs. Parents also need our continued support by giving them the much needed respite care and for their children to reach their optimum potential”. | ||
The Camelia Botnar Children's Centre
is a purpose built for pre-school children, especially those with special needs and from disadvantaged families. Now the facilities are fully inclusive for all children 2 months to 5 years and are free of charge. There are four Nursery groups and with a high staff ratio of highly trained nursery nurses ensuring each child receives individual attention. Children with social needs and long term medical conditions such as epilepsy, asthma and cystic fibrosis, are welcome at the centre. The Centre has sensory rooms, which provides light, sound and touch simulation and has a calming influence. |
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The Children’s Centre was opened during the International Year of the Child in 1979, founded by Octav and Marcela Botnar in memory of their daughter Camelia, who tragically died in an accident at the age of 20. Octav Botnar was a highly successful entrepreneur who introduced Nissan (then known as Datsun) cars to the UK market. He arrived in Britain in 1966 speaking no English. Within five years he had set up his fledgling company, Nissan UK Limited, which was to become one of the most successful private companies in the UK in the late 20th Century.
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Octav Botnar died in 1998 at the age of 84, leaving the Camelia Botnar Children’s Centre and the Camelia Botnar Foundation, both now independent of each other, as his enduring legacy to helping children and young people in need.
For 30 years the Children’s Centre was fortunate to have the financial patronage of Nissan UK and the Camelia Botnar Foundation. During this privileged period, the centre did not have to search for any funds, however at the end of 2009 both sources of funding ceased. This left the centre in uncharted waters to keep the Children’s Centre operational. So they embarked on the quest to replace the lost funding, a very challenging task, especially in this difficult financial climate.
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Once appropriate funding has been secured, the Trustees wish to evaluate the possibility of opening the Children’s Centre for 50 weeks of the year. This will enable the parents of the Children who use the centre to get additional respite and it will be especially beneficial to those parents with Children with special needs Also extending the opening times will give the Children a regular and stable environment to enable them to continue to play, which is a vital part of a Child’s pre-school development. Also, their future plans will include the option to extend the catchment area we serve, which will undoubtedly be of benefit to a wider audience. | ||
Why is it so important to raise funds to keep this Children’s Centre open?
special needs facility in this part of West Sussex, which has served the community for over 30 years.
care within their catchment area.
parents, especially those experiencing financial hardships in these difficult times. |
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